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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corpcrdtion 


_J  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER.  N.Y.  MS80 

(716)  873-4503 


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CIHM/ICMH 
Microfiche 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions 


Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


1980 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  at  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Faatures  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  signify   antly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  cuecked  below. 


D 
D 
D 
D 
D 
D 
□ 

□ 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 

Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommagee 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur^e  et/ou  peliicul6e 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  g^ographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relid  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intdrieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
11  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajout6es 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  dtd  filmdes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppldmentaires: 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-§tre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mdthode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquds  ci  dessous. 


I      I    Coloured  pages/ 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

Pages  restored  and/oi 

Pages  restaur^es  et/ou  pellicul^es 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxei 
Pages  ddcolordes,  tachet^es  ou  piqu6es 


I      I    Pages  damaged/ 

I      I    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 

I      I    Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 


□    Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d^tach^es 

□    Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

□    Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Qualit^  indgale  de  I'imi: 


pression 


ndgale 

supple 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 


□    Includes  supplementary  material/ 
C 


D 


Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


I     1/  Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
I  ^  I    slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  filmdes  d  nouveau  de  fagon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  fitm^  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqud  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


vV 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


■  ^^SKoru_JS:i^rij 


tails 
du 

>difier 
une 
nage 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

National  Library  of  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grSce  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

Bibiiothdque  nationale  du  Canada 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettetd  de  l'exemplaire  filmd,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED "),  or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "FND  "), 
whichever  applies. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprim^e  sont  filmds  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  film6s  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  ot  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparattra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — ^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmds  d  dep  taux  de  reduction  diff6rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  il  est  filmd  d  partir 
de  Tangle  supdrieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
iliustrent  la  mdthode. 


-rata 
o 


)elure. 


H 


32X 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

/ 


( 


.h 


iUli 


C4n 


/ 


EC  I  s  a?  o  "R.  "3r 


OF 


•f   M 


UMBER  LAND, 

MARYLAND^ 

-    niV.  TIMK  OF  THE  INDIAN  TOWN,  CaH:CTUCUO, 
IN   1728,  UP  TO  THK  PRESKNT  DAY, 

EMHi^'^fVO  AN  ACa>UNT  OK 

>hington's  First  Campaign, 


AND 


UATTLE  OF  FORT  NECESSITY, 


■■■'n 

f 


ORYOF 


TXXiETllKIi  WITH  A 


>>     iiJ.1 , 


&C.,  hi'    :k 


WITH   MAPS  AND  ILLUSTRATTONS. 


BY  WILL  H.  LOWDERWILK. 


*' Ci)-ath«»r  up  <he  F'rHstuentw  thnl   t^«i«>»in. 


WASH[N<;iON,  D.  C. 
lAMKS  ANliLIM,  1424  F  STREET, 


cu 


KIIOM  Tl 


Wash 


B^ 


1 


c** 


iBC  I  S  T  O  K.  IT 


OF 


CUMBERLAND, 

(MARYLAND) 

KIIOM  THK  TIME  OF  THK  INDIAN  TOWN,  CAIUCTUCUC, 
IN  1728,  UP  TO  THK  PRESKNT  DAY, 

KMHKACING  AN  ACCOUNT  OF 

Washington's  First  Campaign, 


AND 


BATTLE  OF  FORT  NECESSITY, 


T(X}ETnEU  WITH  A 


HISTORY  OF  BRADOOCrS  EIPEDITION. 


&c.,  &c.,  &c. 


WITH   MAPS  AND  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


BY  WILL  H.  LOWDERMILK. 


'*  O-nther  up  th«  ff  rfis«»«nt«  that  remain." 


WASHINGTON,  D.  C. 
JAMES  ANGLIM,  1424  V  STREET, 

1878.  --.,-. 


2  8  n'  0  5 


^<^(^V^*?^/AK,    14/.  H. 


Entered  according  to  Act  ot'ConKresN,  in  the  vear  1878   bv 

WILL  H.  LOWDERMILK,  "  ' 

in  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress  at  Washington. 


Will  II.  Lowdprmilk,  Printer, 
Cumberland,  Md. 


TO 

THE  MEMORY 

OF 

THE  EARLY  SETTLERS 

OF  THE 

QUEEN  CITY  OF  THE  ALLEGHANIES. 

BY  THE  AUTHOR. 


Fort  Cvm 


Pr 


AN  OF  ] 


Plan  of  I 

POKTKAIT  ( 

Map  of  B] 

BiiADDOCK'i 


BhAF)J)( 


OCK 


Cresap's  F 
The  Old  M 


Wash 


INGTO 


Plat  of  Cu 
The  "Narr 
City  Hall 
Court  Hous 


Al 


legany  C 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Fort  Cumberland, 

P'RONTISriECE. 

Plan  of  Fort  Necessity,  . 

.    Page  76 

Plan  of  Fort  Cumberland,  . 

.        .         .        92 

Portrait  ov  Braddock,     . 

.  100 

Map  of  Braddock's  Route,   . 

.       140 

Buaddook's  Grave  in  1850 

.  188 

Hhaddock's  Grave  in  1877  . 

.       190 

Cresap's  Fort 

.  254 

The  Old  Milestone 

.       257 

Washington's  Headquarters    . 

.  280 

Plat  of  Cumberland   .         . 

284 

The  "Narrows" 

.  332 

City  Hall  .        .        .         .        . 

.       426 

Court  House    .... 

.  434 

Allegany  County  Academy  . 

.        434 

tmrnmnm 


Academy  of] 
Allegjiny  Coi 
Attorneys,  iid 
Baker,  Lieiitt 
Baltimore  aii< 

Bunks  

Bcall,  Thoma 
BiK  Ball,  Tin 
Blair,  Captaii 
Bland,  (;ii)inc( 
Boquet,  Colon 
Bridjfes),  over 
Braddock,  Oei 
at 
at 
l^ti 


rou 

diivi 

hoi 

con 

tuai 

rou 

crit 

oil  t 

wou 

deal 

plac 

Ord, 

Caiuctucuck 

Chesapeake  anti 
fund 
riots 
riots 
pub] 
wate 
passj 
expe 
ceren 
Charlottesburg 

Cholera 

Chrise,  WilT/am 

Churches...  . 

City  Hall,  descri 

Civil  War:  Unioi 

India 

Twen 

Poton 

Citize 


INDEX. 


••A(1K8. 

Academy  of  Muhio 4'_'7 

Alle){«ny  County  erected 207 

Attorney!*,  admitted  to  bar  of  Allegany  Court 435-4;i7 

Baker,  Lieutenant 226 

Baltimore  and  Ohio  Kailroad 3o0-.3r)2,  3«1,  3<)5.  'Alii,  .'J77 

Banks 340,  343.  35!),  3fiO,  W'\  3H6,  408 

Beall,  ThoninN  of  Samuel 268 

BiK  Ball.  The 347  340,  3r)(i 

Blair,  Captain  Thomas 2!t7-2!»!> 

Bland.  Clmncellor  Theodoric 235,  2 13 

Boquet,  Colonel  Henry 232,  234,  2;«).  242 

Bridges,  over  Will's  Creek 237,  271,  284,  285.  306,  342.  353.  378,  .H7!t 

Braddock,  General  Edward 00  101 

ut  Altxandria 104 

at  Fort  Cumberland 114-137 

letter  to  (JoveriKir  Sharpe 130 

"      re^tardinu  Frank lin l.'!5 

"      to  (leneral  Shirley l.'*0 

route  to  the  M(>noni;ahelu 130-154 

diseipline  and  habit> , 117 

holds  a  eonference  with  the  Indians , 124 

contempt  for  Indians i;{4 

march  towards  the  Monongahela 130 

route  of  mareh 130-154 

criticism  of,  by  officers 154 

ou  the  battle  field 100-102 

wounded. 102 

death  of 10!) 

place  of  burial 16!).  188-Uil 

Orderly  Book 4!)7 

Caiuctucuck 17-20 

Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canal;  petition  against  high  level  338 

funds  exhausted 339 

riots  amongst  employees  ut  Oldtown 342 

riots  at  tunnel  suppressed  by  militia 340 

public  meetings  in  behalf  of  conipjeting  work 34!) 

water  lei,  in  for  first  time 308,309 

passenger  packet 372 

experiments  with  steamboats 386 

ceremonies  at  opening  navigation 438-447 

Charlottesburg  31 

Cholera 378,379 

Chrise,  William  S.,  tried  and  executed 354-356 

Churches 521,338,  343,  344,  448-487 

City  Hall,  description  of 425-428 

Civil  War:  Union    meetings 38!)-.3!»3  405 

Indiana  Zouaves 3{)8 

Twenty-first  Bridge 401 

Potomac  Home  Brigade 402-405 

Citizens  who  joined  the  Confederate  army 400 


8 


INDEX. 


i  ;l 

\l  II 


Civil  WarrCity  Guard  in  186? -  406,  407 

Volunteers  from  Allegany  county 407 

Enrolling  the  militia 407 

General  Kelly's  headquarters 40S 

Capture  of  the  town  by  Confederates 410-412 

Emancipation  of  Slaves 414 

Battle  of  Folck's  Mills ., 416 

Citi^'en  Volunteers 417,418 

Bounty  for  Volunteem « 420 

Capture  of  Generals  Crook  and  Kelly 420-422 

County  Commissioners , 428 

Court,  thp  first  held 269 

Court  Houses,  jails.  Ac 270,276.340,345,  368 

Cresap.  Colonel  Thomas 26.  86,  141,  136,  141,  254,  265,  259 

CDghan,  Georpte 28,  109,  116,  123 

Cumberland,  the  town  established 258-261 

laid  off. .*. 268, 266 

first  settlers 262 

Commissioners 266 

a  post  own 275 

resurveyed 285-288 

property  owners  in  1813 293-296 

incorporated 301,302 

Commissioners  elected 303 

population 320,  349,  371.388 

assessHble  property 360,  351,  357 

divided  into  two  Districts 360 

grant  to  l^altimore  and  Ohio  Railroad   361 

niRht  watch  esiablished 375 

lighted  by  gas 380 

subscribes  to  Pittsburgh  and  Connel!sville  Railroad 384 

city  limits  extended 385 

military  hospitals  404,408 

captured  by  Confederates 410-412 

land  grant  to  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad 425 

Waterworks 425,426 

Dagworthv  Captain 199,202,  227 

De  Reaujeu 173,  174.  177,  178 

De  Contra  Coeur 68 

De  Langlade,  Charles 170-178.  212,  213 

Dent,  Frederick 262 

De  Rocheblave 176 

Dinwiddle,  Governor 39,48,  101,  110,  203,  204,  215,  216 

Disputes  as  to  Rank 73,  102,  104,202,206 

Dunbar,  Colonel 95, 118,  166-170,  182-181 

Fire,  the  great,  of  1833 324-329,  331,  .341 

Flight  of  Settlers 185 

Forbes,  General  231,  251 

his  army 249 

Fort  Cumberland,  erected 89 

description  of 90-93 

strengthened  and  improved 100 

visited  by  Governor  Sharpe 103 

a  demoralized  garrison 104 

arrival  of  Sir  .lohn  St.  Clair 108 

letter  from  Thomas  Walker 109 

"    Captain  Rutherford 110 

General  Braddock  arrived  at 114 

troops  and  Indians  at 116,  117 

Indian  conference  at , ....119 

punishment  of  soldiers 121 

letters  from  Washington 121,  132,  180 

a  military  funeral 122  123 


Fort  Cuml»( 


INDEX. 


9 


Fort  Cumberland,  ludian  women  and  jealousy 123  127 

letter  from  Braddock 130, 135- 137 

Colonel  Innes  appointed  Gov.    nor 135 

Maryland  militia  sent  to 152 

arrival  of  the  retreating  army 174  184 

letter  from  Captain  Orme 180 

"     Colonel  Dunbar 184 

Dunbar's  r^jtreat  from 185 

Newspaper  reports  from 193,  194 

the  wounded  at 197 

Indian  out  rages  at ,.198-201.  244 

Governor  Shurpe's  opinion  of  it 198 

the  garrison  is  strengthened 199 

trouble  as  to  the  command 202-206 

letter  from  General  Shirley 205 

beseiged  by  Indians 207,  210 

Colonel  Innes'  qu -er  letter 209 

Killbuek's  visit 211,212 

Wa.shini»ton  urges  its  abandonment 214 

Dl.iwiddie  opposes  the  idea 21ij,  216 

question  referred  to  a  council 215,210 

orders  ti,  strengthen 216 

Colonel  Stephen  in  command 21'/ 

memorandum  of  atlairs  at 218 

spies  arrested  at 219 

Lord  Loudon's  opinion  of 220 

.    Washington's  headquarters  at 221,222 

Virginia  troops  ordered  away 22'' 

.,    Maryland  refuses  to  garrison 225 

Washington  departs  from 226 

.    Dagworthy  in  command 227 

an  Indian  alarm 227 

Reinforcements  arrive  at 227 

address  in  Maryland  Legislature  regarding 229 

Washington  returns  to 233 

...  Indian  reinforcements  at 234 

T  ...     scanty  supplies  and  sickness  at .' 242 

Governor  Sharpe  arrives  at 244 

.    explosion  of  magazine  at 248 

Washington's  command  leaves ...247 

a  garrison  of  Hritish  troops 253 

abandonment  of 256 

IFnrt  Duquesne.   232 

IFort  Frederick 197 

IPort  Mount  Pleasant 83-88 

iFort  Necessity - 73-80 

capitulation,  of 77,  78 

iFossitt,  Thomas,  claims  he  shot  Braddock 187 

''ranklin,  Benjamin's  letter  to  Pennsylvanians 112-114 

•'ry,  Colonel  Joshua 48.  61,  71 

Jage,  General,  letter  to  Governor  Sharpe 250 

larrett  county  established 432 

(iist,  Chri.stopher 27,28,41,71,82,86,  1.52,  153 

^iist,  Nathaniel 167 

Iplass  works 303 

^"irnfl',  Henry,  murdered 381 

irant,  Major 249-251 

lladel,  Dr.  .1.  F.  C.  murdered .381 

Jlalkelt,  Major  Francis 247,  248 

lalkett.  Sir"  Peter 95,  130,  135,  154,  155,  161 

larris,  an  excentric  character 315 

lighwaynen  on  National  Road., 335 

lome  Industry 337 

3 


WW' 


10 


INDEX. 


Hotel  rates  established  by  law 277 

Indians,  towns. 18,  19 

graves 24,25 

conference  at  Fort  Cuinberland 119 

incursions.. 207 

a*  Fort  Cuinb'riaiid 220.  224 

mas.sacres  by 198- 20  i 

wardance 120,  126 

warriors  dud  women 123,  124 

"  Will" 21,22 

"  Kiilbuck" 211,212 

Scarooyiiddi ll.^,  125,  149,  161 

Innes,  Colonel  James 82,  87,  89,135,  138,  179, 197,  202.  209 

Jack,  Captain 109,  133,  134 

Jumonville 47,  54,  67,  69,  70.  74 

La  Choisie 176 

Letters  from  Fort  Cumberland,  reporting  Braddock's  defeat 183 

Little  Meadows 53 

Livingstone,  Miijor  James,  in  commaud  of  Furt  Cumberland 208 

surprises  the  Indians 210 

degrades  Kiilbuck 211-212 

sacceeded  by  Colonel  Stephen 217 

I/tudon,  Lord,  letter  to  Dinwiddle 220 

MacKiiye,  Captain 73,  79,  81 

Marquette,  Fatht-r 35 

Maryland  Assembly 195,  196 

Maryland  supplies  men  and  money 232 

Market  House 276,  350 

McLaughlin,  Captain  William's,  company  in  war  of  1812 296,  297 

McLaughlin,  Thomas,  executed 370 

McSwine,  Hugh's,  Hight  for  lite  223 

Militia 301,309,383 

Mouongahela,  battle  ot 159-162 

night  before  the  battle 154,  155 

on  the  battle  field 157 

the  retreat 163 

the  killed  and  wouoded 1(.'4-166 

the  victorious  French 175 

Miller,  Freilerick,  murders  two  citizens 381-383 

Munford,  Robert,  letter  to  Colonel   Bland 235,  2,W 

Nemacolin • 29 

Newspaper  Reports  of  affairs  at  Fort  Cumberland 193,  194 

Newspapers 301,  306,  316,  321,  329,  357,  375,  377,  .386.  402,  408,  423,  429 

Ohio  Company,  The 26-33 

Old  houses 280-284,  289-291,  299,300 

Ord,  General  K.  O.  C 282 

Orme,  Lieutenant,  aid-de  camp 104 

letter  to  Washingtim 107 

wounded 161,  164 

devotion  to  Braddock 162 

letter  to  Governor  Sharpe 180-182 

Political  Campaigns 347,  356 

Postotfice  established  at  Cumberland 275 

Potomac  Kiver 23,  312,  31.1 

Pnstninstrrs,  lisi  iif 435  I 

Postoftice,  established  in  Cumberland 275 

Powder  House  blown  up 368,  359 

Property  owners  in  1813 2a3-296 

Public  schools J79,  314,  366 

Quantrell,  Jesse  D.  K 362-364 

Remarkable  accident 308 

River  transportation 311-313,  316,  333 

Road,  the  first  to  the  West 51 

Road,  Hraddock'g 136-164  | 


INDEX, 


11 


Road,  The  National 332-334.  .536,  339,  341,  344,  365 

Koad8.  a  nomparison  of. 242 

Koad  between  Forts  Cunibeiland  and  Frederick 262,  253 

lioad,  second  to  the  Ohio 237 

Kocheblav«,de 176,  218 

Settlers,  earlv  of  the  town 262 

West  of  Fort  Cumberland 263  266 

Sharpe,  Oovernor,  his  visit  to  Will's  Creek 83 

inspects  the  Potomac  River 103 

address  to  the  LegislHture  regnrding  Indian  outrages 150-151 

visits  Fort  Cumberland  to  reassure  the  settlers 192 

returns  to  Annapolis 252 

again  visits  Fort  Cumberland 244 

takes  command  of  Fort  Cumberland 248 

Shirley,  Oeneral's  letter  to  Governor  Sharpe 205 

reception  of  Washingion 204 

Spendelow.  Lieutenant 136,  137 

Stage  lines 309-311,  353,  354,  369 

Stanwix   Colonel  marches  to  Fort  Cumberland 227 

letter  to  Oovernor  Sharpe 228 

Stephens,  Captain  promoted 201 

in  command  of  Fort  Cumberland 20'i 

letter  to  Governor  of  Pennsylvania 217 

march  to  Kaystown 233 

his  obituary  of  live  heroes 267 

Stewart,  Hon.  Andrew 188,  189,  191 

St.  Clair,  Sir  .lohn,  Deputy  Quartermaster  (Jeneral 95 

arrives  at  Fort  Cumberland 103 

teriirtic  threats  of 108 

purchases  of  transportation 106 

Spottswood,  Captain  and  party  massacred 228 

Spy  executed  at  Fort  Cumberland 219 

Swann,  Robert 373,  374 

Swear ingen,  George 317-319 

Tanacharison,  the  Half-King 43,  49 

Trent,  Captain's  mission  to  Indians 39 

neglect  of  dutv 49 

Van  liraam,  Jacob 41,  79 

Vaudreville,  M.  letter  regarding  Foi't  Cumberland 218 

Virginia  troops  withdrawn  from  Fort  Cumberland 224 

Waggoner,  Captain 161 

Walnut  Bottom 258 

War  of  1812 295-299 

Ward,  Ensign 47,  49 

Washiugtoii's  first  visit  lo  Wiir.s  Creek 41-48 

journal 65-72 

lit  Logstown ,, ...43 

Lieutenant  Colonel,  at  Will's  Creek 48 

letter  to  Governor  Sharjjc 59 

"     "  the  Half-King 59 

at  Fort  Necessity 55-82 

resignation 102 

aid  decamp 107,  117 

letter  to  his  brother 121 

"      "  William  Fairfax 132 

sick  on  the  march 149 

at  the  battle  of  the  Monongahela 154  160,  167,  168 

letter  to  Oovernor  Irines 178 

letter  to  his  brother 180 

return  to  Mount  Vernon 197 

appointed  Commander-in-Chief 201 

letter  to  Speaker  Robinson 214 

"     "  Dinwiddle 215-217,  219-222 

wants  Fort  Cumberland  abandoned 213 

plan  of  defense 217 


12 


INDEX. 


Washington,    letter  to  Dinwiddie 226 

mnrch  to  Fort  Cumberland 233 

letters  to  Colonel  Ilouquet 233,236,  237,  238,  240,244 

men  in  Indian  dress 234 

expenses  of  his  election 236 

letter  to  Speaker  Robinson 245 

"      "  Mrs.  Fairfax 246 

return  to  Mount  Vernon 253 

Washin^jtontown 259 

Whisky  Insurrection 273-276 

Will's  CreeV::  origin  of  name 21 

a  trading  post 29,  30 

affairs  at 34-88 


PREFACE. 


For  years  past  I  have  spent  much  time  in  gathering 
scraps  of  history  regarding  Fort  Cumberland  and  its 
surroundings,  having  no  other  object  than  the  grati- 
fication of  my  curiosity  as  to  the  early  events  of 
the  place  of  my  birth  and  that  of  my  ancestors. 
Becoming  constantly  more  interested  in  the  work, 
and  finding  so  much  of  national  as  well  as  local 
importance  clustered  about  the  old  Fort,  I  finally 
determined  to  embody  in  as  comprehensive  a  form 
as  possible,  for  future  preservation,  all  that  could 
be  learned  of  the  place,  from  the  time  its  primeval 
forests  were  first  disturbed  by  the  crack  of  the 
pioneer's  rifle  up  to  the  close  of  the  centennial 
year  of  our  nation.  The  task  thus  self-imposed  was 
found  to  be  no  easy  one,  but  was  persevered  in  from 
the  conviction  that  it  was  a  duty  not  to  be  neglected. 
The  paucity  of  reliable  history,  in  every  section  of 
Maryland,  made  this  duty  more  apparent.  The 
difficulties  to  be  overcome,  and  the  obstacles  to  be 
surmounted,  were  greater  than  T  had  anticipated, 
since  the  events  of  many  years  were  involved  in 
almost  total  obscurity,  or  left  to  the  chances  of 
tradition,  which  is  at  best  uncertain. 

Some  of  the  ideas  originally  entertained  as  to  the 
scope  of  this  work  have  been,  of  necessity,  abandoned. 


14 


HISTOIiV  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


Of  those,  I  may  mention  the  purpose  of  recording  the 
family  history  of  the  first,  or  earlier,  settlers  of  the 
town.  Satisfactory  data  as  to  but  few  of  these 
families  can  now  be  obtained,  despite  most  strenuous 
efforts  made  in  that  direction.  Consequently  this 
purpose  could  not  be  carried  out  without  laying  the 
author  open  to  the  charge  of  invidious  discrimination. 

To  make  this  history  perfect,  the  careful  perusal 
of  old  manuscripts  and  newspapers,  volumes  of  history, 
local  and  general,  records  of  Legislative,  court  and 
counci^  proceedings,  miscellaneous  collections  of  notes 
and  memoranda,  as  W(?ll  as  private  papers,  became 
necessary;  and  in  many  instances  these  were  so 
imperfect  as  to  seem  to  bailie  the  most  dilligent 
research.  The  labor  of  interviewing  the  oldest 
citizens  was  conscientiously  performed,  and  many 
missing  links  thus  obtained.  Their  recollections 
form  part  of  the  chain  connecting  the  earlier  and 
latter  existence  of  Cumberland,  and  binding  the  story 
of  the  settlement  to  the  town's  birth. 

The  impossibility  of  making  such  a  work  perfect, 
in  every  detail,  must  be  apparent  to  every  one;  and 
is  certainly  fully  comprehended  by  the  author.  1 
have,  however,  striven  in  good  faith,  and  without 
stint  of  labor,  to  lift  the  veil  which  has  so  long 
shrouded  the  past  of  our  city,  and  to  give  a  faithful 
and  accurate  record  of  the  march  of  events,  from  the 
traditionary  period  ante-dating  the  establishment  oi" 
the  "King's  Fort,"  through  the  years  of  bloodshed 
when  the  banner  of  England  was  borne  over  these 
hills  in  the  face  of  a  savage  foe,  up  to  the  present  day 
and  generation.     While  asking  for  its  imperfections 


PREFACE. 


15 


the  most  lenient  judgment,  1  trust  the  reader  may 
lind  as  much  pleasure  in  the  perusal  of  this  volume, 
as  the  writer  has  found  in  its  preparation. 

I  am  under  obligations,  for  valuable  assistance,  to 
Mr.  A.  R.  Spofford,  the  learned  and  indefatigable 
Librarian  of  the  Congressional  Library;  to  Colonel 
Brantz  Mayer,  of  Baltimore;  Hon.  A.  R.  Boteler, 
of  Virginia;  Mr.  Lyman  (J.  Draper,  of  the  Wisconsin 
Historical  Library;  Mr.  James  Anglim,  publisher,  of 
Washiugton;  Dr  Joseph  Toner,  of  Washington  ;  Mr. 
1^].  D.  Butler,  of  the  Department  of  Maps,  British 
Museum,  London;  Mr.  R.  A.  Brock,  Librarian  of  the 
Virginia  Historical  Library ;  Mr.  James  Veech,  of 
Pittsburgh  ;  Mr.  A.  C.  Nutt,  of  Uniontown,  Pa.;  Mr. 
D.  Shriver  Stewart,  of  Washington  City  ;  Mr.  Benson 
J.  Lossing,  the  eminent  historian ;  Mr.  John  B. 
Hurley,  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  ;  Mr.  H. 
I).  Black,  of  New  York;  the  Librarian  of  the  Maryland 
Historical  Society;  Messrs.  Theodore  Lunuxn,  Clerk 
<»f  the  Court;  T.  Leiper  Patterson,  Civil  Engineer; 
1.  B.  Milliier  and  L.  T.  Dickinson,  of  Cumberland  ; 
the  last  two  named  for  some  of  the  sketches  given. 

For  many  of  the  facts  recorded  I  have  had  recourse 
to  the  pages  of  Spark's  Writings  of  Washington, 
Irving's  Life  of  Washington,  Sargent's  Braddock, 
the  Colonial  Records,  Pennsylvania  Archives,  The 
Olden  Time,  the  Pennsylvania  Gazette,  the  Universal 
Mag^jine,  Sharpe's  MS.  correspondence,  The  Monon- 
gahela  of  Old,  Kercheval's  History  of  the  Valley, 
Dodriddge's  Notes,  and  others. 

THE  AUTHOR. 


For  n 

'liscover^ 

to  the  n 

great  Ger 

base  of  tl 

The  man 

in  its  pro: 

fastnesses 

settle  do^v 

out  upon 

them    froi 

forever  wl 

invoked    b 

«trange  bui 

and  a  half 

these  boun( 

behold  thei 

were  peoph 

iJimly  prese 

was  destint 

encroachme] 
3 


CAI-UC-TU-CUC. 


1728-1751. 


For  nearly  two  hundred  and  fifty  years  after  the 
discovery  of  the  New  World  had  been  made  known 
to  the  nations  of  the  Eastern  Hemisphere,  by  the 
great  Genoese  navigator,  the  country  lying  along  the 
base  of  the  AUeghanies  was  a  trackless  wilderness. 
The  march  of  civilization  made  but  little  advance 
in  its  progress  from  the  sea-shore  to  the  mountain 
fastnesses,  and  the  new-comers  seemed  content  to 
settle  down  upon  the  coast,  whence  they  could  look 
out  upon  the  expanse  of  ocean  which  separated 
them  from  the  ideas  and  theories  they  had  left 
forever  when  they  spread  their  sails  to  the  heaven- 
invoked  breezes  which  were  to  waft  them  to  a 
strange  but  prolific  world.  For  nearly  two  centuries 
and  a  half  had  the  gorgeous  hues  of  autumn  tinted 
these  boundless  forests,  ere  the  white  man  came  to 
behold  their  beauties.  These  mountains  and  valleys 
were  peopled  by  the  Red  Man,  whose  history  was 
dimly  preserved  in  unsubstantial  legend,  and  who 
was  destined  to  yield  his  possessions  to  the  sure 
encroachments  of  Anglo-Saxon  intelligence. 


18 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBKRLANr). 


1728.] 


The  first  attempt  to  penetrate  this  virji^ii  wilder- 
ness, with  an  idea  looking  to  conquest  and  posnesnion. 
was  made  by  Governor  Spottswood  in  1714,  when 
he,  with  a  following  of  the  youthful  chivalry  of 
Virginia,  sought  to  realize  the  golden  visions  he  had 
long  delighted  in,  regarding  the  ])aradise  beyond  the 
mountains.  Ilis  zeal  and  enthusiasm  led  him  to  the 
discovery  of  the  beautiful  Valley  of  Virginia,  as  well 
as  the  realization  of  the  fact  that  the  geography  of 
the  region  was  on  a  grander  scale  than  he  had 
anticipated.  The  great  Apalachian  range  still 
separated  him  from  the  head-waters  of  the  Ohio, 
which  he  had  expected  to  find  at  the  western  base 
of  the  Blue  Ridge,  but  the  daring  enterprise  of 
himself  and  his  followers  opened  a  charming  valley 
to  the  hundreds  of  immigrants  who  were  then 
arriving  upon  our  shores. 

Of  the  region,  bordering  on  the  upper  Potomac, 
however,  there  is  no  history,  either  written  or  oral, 
to  enlighten  us  as  to  the  events  of  an  epoch  earlier 
than  about  1728.  At  that  date  there  was  located 
in  the  Province  of  Maryland,  at  the  junction  of 
two  streams  known  as  the  Cohongaronta  and  the 
Caiuctucuc,  an  Indian  town,  which  also  bore  the 
latter  name.  The  town  of  Caiuctucuc  was  built  on 
the  ground  lying  between  these  streams,  from  their 
confluence  to  a  point  some  distance  up  the  river 
Cohongaronta,  the  greater  portion  of  the  town  being 
located  upon  the  site  of  the  v  st  side  of  the  present 
city  of  Cumberland.  Other  towns  were  dotted  alonji 
the  river's  bank,  for  a  distance  of  more  than  forty 
miles,  the   most  easterly  being  the  present  site  of 


172S.] 


INDIAN    VILLAGES. 


19 


Okltown,  Allegany  county,  Maryland.  A  century 
ago  the  settlement  at  that  point  was  called 
-'  Shawanese  Oldtown, "  but  of  late  years  the 
oxj)lanatory  prefix  has  been  entirely  dropped,  and 
tlio  place  is  now  known  simply  as  Oldtown.  Other 
villages  were  scattered  about  between  the  Virginia 
and  Pennsylvania  lines,  two  of  which  were  not  far 
distant  I'rom  Caiuctucuc.  One  of  these  was  located 
in  the  narrow  valley,  three  miles  westward,  on  the 
banks  of  Braddock's  Run,  on  what  is  now  known  as 
the  Eckles'  place,  and  within  a  few  yards  of  the  line 
of  the  present  National  Road,  just  where  it  is  crossed 
by  the  Eckhart  Railroad.  Within  the  memory  of 
men  now  living  there  were  many  relics  of  this  village 
in  existence.  The  ground  was  heavily  timbered 
throughout  that  valley,  and  a  clearing  of  several 
acres  had  been  made  there,  in  which  were  still  to  be 
seen  the  renmants  of  the  small  huts  used  by  the 
natives.  Just  across  the  ridge,  in  Cash  Valley,  was 
another  village  of  the  same  character;  and  still 
another,  of  greater  dimensions,  was  situated  near  the 
spot  on  which  Cresaptown  stands,  probably  a  little 
nearer  the  river. 

The  inhabitants  of  this  region  were  a  portion  of 
the  Shawanese  tribe,  a  sub-division  of  the  Algonquin 
group,  one  of  the  most  warlike  combinations  of  that 
period.  The  warriors  engaged  in  hunting  and 
fishing,  and  game  was  sufficiently  abundant  both  in 
wood  and  water  to  supply  them  with  all  that  was 
needed  of  food  and  furs.  While  the  men  engaged 
in  the  pursuits  of  the  chase,  or  went  upon  the  war 
path,  their  families  were  left  at  home  to  till  the  soil, 


\ - 


20 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBEKLAND. 


1728.] 


the  rich  bottom  lands  yieldinjjf  abundant  crops  of 
maize  and  grasH.  At  what  time  the  viUage  of 
Caiuctucuc  wa8  deserted  is  left  to  c(mjecture.  as 
the  earliest  map  of  this  region,  which  was  made 
in  1761,  and  is  now  to  be  seen  in  the  Congressional 
Library,  at  Washington,  simply  marks  the  territory 
designated  as  "  Abandoned  Shawanese  Lands,"  and 
at  that  time  roving  bands  of  Indians  of  other  trilx\s. 
witli  scjittered  lodges,  were  found  here  by  the  hard\ 
pioneers,  whose  venturesome  spirits  led  them  so  I'ar 
beyond  the  limits  of  civilization;  while  the  Shaw- 
anese thickly  peopled  the  banks  of  the  Ohio,  and  the 
Monongahela,  west  of  the  AUeghanies. 

The  town  of  Caiuctucuc  was  of  respectable  dimen- 
sicms,  and  consisted  principally  of  lodges  built  in  a 
primitive  manner.  Two  forked  posts  were  driven 
firmly  into  the  ground,  and  oh  these  was  laid  a 
ridge  pole.  Small  saplings,  cut  to  a  length  of  about 
eight  feet,  were  laid  against  this  pole,  one  end  resting 
on  the  ground,  forming  a  shelter  similar  to  the  /\^ 
shaped  tents  so  long  in  use  in  our  armies.  This  was 
covered  with  bark  and  skins,  and  made  tight  enough 
to  form  a  satisfactory  protection  against  lx)tli  rain  and 
snow.  On  the  floor  were  spread  furs,  which  were 
made  to  do  duty  both  as  seats  and  beds.  The 
village  had  its  Sachems  and  chief  men,  and  was 
subject  to  the  general  form  of  government  which 
controlled  all  branches  of  the  Shawanese  family,  and 
which  was  well  suited  to  their  condition.  A  favorite 
article  of  diet  amongst  these  Indians  was  a  cake  made 
of  maize  beaten  as  fine  as  the  means  at  command 
would   permit.     This  was  mixed    with  water,   and 


1728.1 


INDIAN  "WILL." 


21 


haked  upon  a  flat  Htone  which  had  bocn  proviouHly 
jieatod  in  the  (ire.  The  trapperw  tbllovvod  the  Indians' 
exain|)le  in  the  bakinji;  of  "Shawnet?  cakes,"  as  they 
<;alled  them,  and  the  lapse  of  a  few  years  waw 
sulFu'ient  to  corrupt  tiie  term  into  that  of  "Johnny 
Cake,"  so  familiar  throii<j;liout  the  South,  and  in 
common  use  at  this  day.* 

Tiie  darin<2;  trai)pers  who  first  came  to  make  friends 
of  the  Red  Man  evidently  had  more  rejj^ard  for  the 
peltries,  which  were  exchangea))le  for  coin,  than  for 
the  beauty  of  difficult  Indian  names,  by  which 
mountains  and  streams  were  desi<z:nated;  and  with 
the  merciless  hardihood  of  their  natures  they  ruth- 
lessly extinguished  the  aboriginal  titles,  and  cut  out 
for  after  generations  meaningless  names,  which  had 
nothing  to  commend  them  beyond  their  ease  of 
proiuinciation.  Thus,  we  have  to-day  no  "Caiuctu- 
cuc,"  but  simply  "  Will's  Creek."  Caiuctucuc  Creek, 
and  the  great  mountain  which  forms  the  northern 
homiflary  of  the  city  of  Cumberland,  were  b.aptised 
by  the  earliest  settlers  here,  as  "Will's  Creek," 
and  "Will's  Mountain."  "Will"  was  a  full  Wooded 
Indian,  who  with  his  family  and  a  few  followers, 
remained  in  the  land  of  their  fathers,  and  despite 
the  appi'oach  of  the  white  men  did  not  remove 
their  wigwams,  but  received  their  strange  visitors 
with  a  kindly  greeting,  and  lived  upon  terms  of 
intimate  friendship  with  them.  His  wigwam  was 
built  in  a  little  cove  lying  between  the  west  side  of 
Will's  Mountain  and  Will's  Knob,  about  three  miles 
from  the  month  of  the  creek,  and  in  the  vicinity  of 

'■It  has  been  generally  claimed  that  "Johnny  Cake"  was  a  corruption  of 
"Journey  Cake." 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND^. 


1743.]  ■  1743.] 


the  rocky  Ibnnation  known  us  thr^  "Devil's  Ladder." 
He  had  for  a  neighlK)r  another  Indian,  known  as  Eve. 
[ndian  Will  exercised  a  Hort  of  proprietary  rig-ht  over 
all  the  land  in  the  vicinity  of  hin  lodjj^iN  and  one  of 
the  earliest  tracts  surveyed,  by  Colonel  Thomas 
Cresap,  at  the  instance  of  Governor  Bladen,  was 
designated  "  Will's  To\vn,"  and  was  located  along  the 
creek  from  the  mouth  of  Jennings  Rmi,  containing 
915  acres.  The  claims  of  Will  to  the  ownership  of 
property  were  respect^^d  tt)  a  certain  extent;  that  is 
to  say,  when  grants  were  obtained  the  settlers  did  not 
fail  to  give  him  some  tritle  us  a  pret<?nded  compensii- 
tion.  In  referring  to  this  place  it  became  cust(^)mary 
with  the  settlers  and  trtippers  to  use  Will's  name  as 
the  easiest  method  of  designating  it,  and  in  a  little 
while,  very  naturally,  they  came  to  sj^eak  of  "Will's 
Creek."  Thus  the  original  Indian  name  for  the 
stream  was  lost;  and  the  mountain  finally  obtained 
its  name  from  the  creek. 

The  date  of  Will's  death  is  not  definitely  known,  but 
that  event  is  supposed  to  have  occurred  aljout  the  close 
of  the  revolutionary  war,  or  shortly  thereafter.  His 
rtimains  were  buried  on  the  very  top  of  Will's  Knob, 
and  the  place  of  his  sepulture  is  still  pointed  out  to 
those  who  are  curious  enough  to  visit  it.  He  left 
several  children,  who  intermarried  with  white  settlers, 
and  their  descendants  lived  near  the  Pennsylvania 
State  line,  on  Will's  creek,  as  late  as  1810,  but  the 
last  of  them  has  now  disappeared. 

In  the  map  referred  to  above,  and  which  was  drawn 
in  1751,  Will's  Creek  is  marked  as  "Caiuctucuc  Creek," 
and   at   that   date   was    known  by  no  other  name 


1743.] 


THE  TOTOMAC. 


amongst  the  Indians.  It  was  a  stream  of  no  great 
j)reten-«iions  during  the  summer  numths,  but  frequently 
overflowed  its  banks  after  heavy  freshets,  and  spread 
over  much  of  the  bottom  land  near  its  mouth.  Its 
fsliores  were  thickly  fringed  with  tree«  and  sh"'ibbery, 
and  its  waters  flowed  lazily  tlirough  the  (u>()ling 
.shadows  of  the  "Narrows,"  a  grand  rent  in  the 
mountain,  a  mile  to  the  iioith  of  the  junction  of  the 
creek  with  the  river. 

The  Potomtuv''  River  obtained  its  name  doubtless 
from  the  Potomac  tribe  of  Indians.  At  the  time  of 
tlie  grant  of  Maryland  to  Lord  Baltimore,  iii  1C32,  it 
was  specified  as  the  boinidary  line  Ijetween  Virginia 
and  Maryland,  and  referred  to  lus  "Quiriough,  or 
Potonuic."  This  title  was  apj)lied  to  tlie  river  only 
as  far  up  as  the  mouth  of  the  Shenandoah.  From 
the  [)oint  of  its  confluence  with  that  stream  uj)  to 
the  source  of  the  North  Branch  it  was  called 
Cohongaronta,  or  Upper  Potomac,  while  the  South 
Branch  bore  tlie  name  of  the  Wappacomo  or  Wappa- 
t<^)maka.  The  Cohongaronta  wa.s  said  to  have  been 
surveyed  from  the  mouth  of  the  Shenandoah  to  the 
head  springs,  in  178G,  by  Mr.  Benjamin  Winslow, 
but  it  is  quite  pro))able  that  Mr.  Winslow  grew 
weary  of  his  task,  for  some  reason,  and  abandoned 
it  prematurely,  a.'<  the  maps  of  fifteen  years  later  are 
far  from  being  correct.  Jnasmuch  as  the  Potomac 
was  declared  the  boundary  line  between  Virginia  and 
Maryland  there  was  much  doubt  expressed  on  the 
part  of  the  proprietary  of  Maryland  as  to  the  justice 
of  taking    the    North    Branch  as   the  main  stream. 


*The  word  Potomac  signifies  the  "Place  ot  theburiUDg  pine,"  "reaenibling 
a  council  fire." 


24 


HISTORY   OF  CUMBERLAND. 


Virgini<a,  howevex',  claimed  through  hor  Comniissionor. 
Hon.  Charles  James  Faulkner,  in  1SH2,  that  while 
the  South  Branch  was  the  longer,  the  North 
Bran(;h  was  the  wider  and  deeper,  and  had  the 
greater  volume  of  water;  in  addition  to  Avhich 
facts  the  valley  of  the  South  Branch  has  not  the 
general  direction  of  the  Potomac,  while  that  of  the 
North  Branch  has.  The  discussion  of  tliis  matter 
has  been  frequent  and  of  long  duration,  the  Legisla- 
tures having  on  several  occasions  appointed  "Boundary 
Commissioners"  with  a  view  to  its  settlement.  There 
has  been  no  result  further  than  to  confirm  the  original 
boimdary,  and  the  matter  is  now,  doubtless  finally 
settled. 

The  lands  in  the  vicinity  of  Cumberland  are  rich 
in  Indian  relics,  and  an  interesting  collection  of  stone 
pipes  tomahawks,  rings,  tablets,  quoits,  &c.,  has  been 
made  by  Mr.  F.  M,  Ofl'utt.  These  were  taken  from 
graves  which  have  been  opened  by  various  persons. 
Along  the  banks  of  the  Potomac  the  curious  may  still 
find  these  graves,  and  the  writer  has  himself  assisted 
in  the  exploration  of  a  number  of  them.  The  custom 
of  the  Indians  was  to  lay  their  dead  upon  the  surface 
of  the  earth,  and  to  deposit  beside  them  their  bows, 
arrows,  tomahawks,  and  food  in  jars  or  crocks  of 
pottery,  made  of  clay  mixed  with  finely  crushed  flint, 
and  burned.  The  friends  then  deposited  such  articles 
as  they  chose,  and  the  bodies  were  afterwards  covered 
with  stones,  which  were  laid  on  to  a  height  of  about 
two  feet.  Usually  the  stones  used  were  boulders  from 
the  bed  of  the  river.  It  is  probable  that  the  graves 
thus  constructed  were  those  of  parties  who  were  on 


"» 


INDIAN  GRAVES. 


25 


the  war  path,  or  traveling  from  one  place  to  another, 
jLs  usually  not  more  than  two  or  three  graves  are 
found  together.  This  is  rendered  more  probable 
from  the  fact  that  few  such  graves  are  found  in  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  their  towns.  At  Brady's 
Mills,  a  number  of  skeletons  were  unearthed  some 
years  ago,  by  workmen  who  were  excavating  the 
ground  for  the  foundations  of  a  distillery  built  there 
by  Mr.  Samuel  Brady.  These  were,  beyond  doubt, 
the  remains  of  Indians,  and  were  buried  in  a  sitting 
posture,  some  depth  below  the  surface.  This  was 
doubtless  the  burial  ground  of  the  Indian  village 
which  lay  between  that  place  and  Cresaptown.  On 
the  farm  of  Mr.  Christopher  Kelley,  fourteen  miles 
below  Cumberland,  one  of  these  stone  piles  was 
opened  recentW,  and  a  beautiful  serpentine  pipe,  of 
green  tinted  stone,  besides  rings,  &c.,  taken  therefrom. 
In  that  neighborhood,  and  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
river,  are  several  other  graves  of  a  similar  character, 
while  in  the  valley  of  the  South  Branch  they  have 
been  discovered  in  great  numbers,  and  hundreds  of 
relics  taken  from  them  have  found  their  way  to  the 
Smithsonian  Institute.  The  articles  thus  recovered 
were  all  of  stone,  or  bone,  the  latter  being  used 
freely  as  ornaments.  The  tomahawk  was  of 
sharpened  stone,  having  a  place  hollowed  out  on  both 
sides  near  the  head,  in  which  the  handle  was 
fastened  by  strong  vines,  or  withes.  The  use  of 
metals  was  evidently  unknown  to  those  people. 


^i 


THE  OHIO  COMPANY. 


I 


Inasmuch  as  the  Ohio  Company  took  a  most  active 
part  in  the  early  settlement  of  this  immediate  section 
of  country,  and  as  it  has  been  so  frequently  alluded 
to  in  the  past,  and  must  necessarily  be,  in  the  future, 
it  is  deemed  expedient  to  embody  here  a  brief  history 
of  the  Company,  and  its  transactions.  Indeed,  this 
work  would  be  incomplete  and  unsatisfactory,  so  far 
as  the  history  of  Cumberland  is  concerned,  were  not 
the  important  operations  of  the  Ohio  Company 
recorded. 

In  1748,  a  number  of  energetic  Pennsylvanians  hiid 
succeeded  in  establishing  an  extensive  trade  with  the 
Indians,  throughout  the  valleys  along  the  Alleghany 
and  headw  aters  of  the  Ohio.  These  traders  employed 
in  their  service  a  class  of  hardy,  daring  backwoods- 
men, whom  they  sent  into  the  Indian  villages,  with 
supplies  of  blankets,  rum,  trinkets,  guns,  ammunition, 
paints,  &c.,  which  they  bartered  to  the  Red  Men  for 
furs.  The  traffic  became  so  profitable  that  in  a  little 
while  it  attracted  the  attention  of  others,  who  were 
ready  to  embark  in  an  enterprise  promising  such 
rich  returns.     Col.  Thomas  Cresap,  who  had  built  for 


1749.] 


THE  OHIO  COMPANY. 


27 


himself  a  cabin  at  Oldtowii,  and  who  will  be  more 
particularly  referred  to  hereafter,  joined  Lawrence 
and  Augustine  Washington  in  the  project  of  forming 
a  company  for  engaging  in  this  business,  and 
they  soon  united  with  themselves  Thomas  Lee, 
one  of  His  Majesty's  Council  in  Virginia,  and 
twelve  other  persons  in  Virginia  and  Maryland, 
besides  John  Hanbury,  a  London  merchant  of  wealth 
and  influence.  Afterwards  several  other  English 
gentlemen  joined  the  company,  and  in  1749  the 
British  government  gave  them  a  charter,  under  the 
name  of  '"The  Ohio  Company,"  and  a  grant  of  five 
hundred  thousand  acres  of  land,  to  be  located  between 
the  Monongahela  and  Kanawha  Rivers,  west  of  the 
Alleghanies.  The  company  originally  issued  but 
twenty  shares  of  stock,  and  some  of  this  changed 
hands  in  a  short  while,  Governor  Dinw^ddie  and 
Heorge  Mason  becoming  purchasers.  Mr.  Lee  was 
chosen  as  the  principal  manager  of  the  company's 
affairs,  but  he  died  a  few  months  later,  and  Lawrence 
Washington  became  his  successor.  One  of  the  re- 
({uirements  of  the  charter  was,  that  the  company 
should  select  a  large  proportion  of  its  lands  at  once, 
some  two  hundred  thousand  acres,  settle  upon  them 
one  hundred  families  within  seven  years,  erect  a 
fort  and  maintain  a  garrison  against  the  Indians. 
When  these  terms  were  complied  with  the  land  was 
to  be  held  ten  years  free  of  quitrrent.  They  accord- 
ingly set  about  exploring  the  country  without  delay, 
and  employed  in  the  work  Christopher  Gist,  an 
energetic,  fearless  pioneer,  and  a  man  of  considerable 
intelligence,  whose  home  had  been  on  the  borders  of 


28 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1749. 


ii         t 


North  Carolina.  Gist*  was  instructed  to  examine 
the  quality  of-  lands,  keep  a  journal,  draw  plans  of 
the  country,  and  to  report  in  full.  He  came  to  Will's 
Creek  in  October,  1749,  where  he  made  all  the  prepa- 
rations necessary  for  his  trip,  and  on  the  31st  day  of 
the  same  month  he  started  on  his  explorations,  follow- 
ing an  Indian  trail,  which  was  the  only  route  through 
the  wilderness.  He  was  gone  some  months,  and  made 
his  way  almost  to  the  falls  of  the  Ohio,  where 
Louisville  now  stands,  besides  pretty  thoroughly 
exploring  the  ground  along  the  Miama  River.  He 
succeeded  in  securing  the  friendship  of  the  Miamas 
and  other  tribes,  and  although  Monsieur  Celeron 
de  Bienville  had  deposited  leaden  plates,  bearing 
inscriptions  which  proclaimed  that  all  the  lands  on 
the  Ohio  and  its  tributaries  were  the  pro}K3rty  of  the 
king  of  France;  and  although  Captain  Joncaire,  with 
his  eloquence  and  his  wit,  used  every  method  that 
art  could  invent  to  induce  the  Indians  to  take  up 
arms  against  the  English,  yet  Gist,  with  the  assistance 
of  George   Croghan,  a  popular  trader,  succeeded  in 

*Cliri8toph*r  Gist  was  of  EngUith  deaceot.  HIh  Krandfather  waa  Cliristopher  Oi»t,  who  died  in 
Baltimore  county  ill  1691.  His  arandmothcr  was  Kdith  Cromwell,  who  died  in  1694.  Tliey  had 
one  child,  Richard,  who  was  surTeyor  of  the  Western  Hhore,  and  was  one  of  the  coramlHKioners, 
ID  1729,  for  laving  otf  the  town  of  Baltimore,  and  presiding  magistrate  in  1736.  In  17145  be 
married  Zipporah  Murray,  and  ChriBtopher  was  one  of  three  sons.  He  married  Sarah  Howard; 
his  brother,  Nathaniel,  married  Mary  Howard:  and  Thomas,  the  third  brother,  married  Violetu 
Howard,  aunla  of  Oen.  John  Kaiser  Howard.  Krom  either  Nathaniel  or  Thomas  descended 
General  Gist,  who  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Franklin,  Tenn.,  near  the  cloxe  of  the  late  civil 
t^ar.  Christopher  had  three  sons,  Nathaniel,  Richard,  and  Thomas,  and  one  daut;hter,  Nancy, 
none  of  whom,  except  Nathaniel,  were  married.  Because  of  his  knowh'lue  of  the  country  oi 
the  Ohio,  and  liis  skill  in  dealing  with  the  Indians.  Christopher  Gist  wa~  ohosen  to  accompanj 
Washington  on  his  mission  in  1753,  and  it  was  from  his  journal  that  Sparks  and  Irving  derived 
their  account  of  that  e.xpedition.  With  his  sons  Nathaniel  and  Thomas,  he  was  with  Braddock 
on  the  fatal  Held  of  Monongahela,  and  for  his  services  received  a  grant  of  12,UU0  acres  of  land 
from  the  King  of  Kngland.  Richard  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain.  Thoniw 
lived  on  the  plantation,  and  was  a  man  of  note  then,  presiding  in  the  courts  till  nis  death  aboni 
1786.  Nancy  lived  with  him  until  his  death,  when  she  joined  ncr  brother,  Nathaniel,  and  re- 
moved with  hirn  to  the  grant  in  Kentucky,  about  the  beginning  of  this  century. 

Nathaniel  Gist,  the  grandfather  ol  Hon.  Montgomery  Blair,  ot  Maryland,  married  Juditb 
Carey  Bell,  of  Buckingham  county,  Va.,  a  grand-niece  of  Archibald  Carey,  the  mover  of  tho 
Bill  of  Rights,  in  the  Houseof  Burgesses,  Nathaniel  was  a  Colonel  In  the  Virginia  line  during 
the  levolutionary  war,  and  died  early  in  the  nreaent  century  at  an  old  age.  He  left  two  torn, 
Henry  Carey  and  Thomas  Cecil.  His  eldest  (laughter,  Sarah  Howard,  married  the  Hon.  Jeatt 
Bledsoe,  a  if.  H.  Senator  from  Kentucky,  and  a  distinguished  jurist;  his  grandson,  B.  Qrati 
Brown  was  the  Democratic  candidate  for  Vice  President  in  1872.  The  second  daughter  of  Col 
Gut,  Anne  (Nancy)  married  Col.  Nathaniel  Hart  a  brother  of  Mrs.  Henry  Clay.  The  third 
daughter  married  Dr.  Boewell,  of  Lexington, Ky.  The  fourth  daughter  married  Francis  P.  Blail, 
Liid  they  were  the  parents  of  Hon.  Montgomery  Blair,  and  FVaooli  P.  Blair,  it.  The  flftb 
daughter  ii»rried  Benjamiu  Qratz,  of  Lexington,  Ky. 


>il. 


1752.] 


TREATY  AT  LOGSTOWN. 


29 


(ho  died  in 
1  Tliey  li«d 
hiHBionera, 
17U5  he 
Howard; 
|d  VioletU 
dencended 
I  late  civil 
Nancy, 
lountry  oi 
Iccomitan; 
liK  derived 
iBraddock 
|g  of  land 
Tlioiiiie 
|at)i  nhniil 
aud   re- 

Id  Judith 
of  th« 
during 
■two  sons, 
Ion.  Jeaw 
IB.  Grail 
of  Col 
[he  third 
]  P.  Blair, 
The  fifth 


having  the  Indians  declare  their  friendship  for  the 
English,  afterwards,  at  the  council  held  at  Logstown, 
in  1762. 

In  1750  the  company  built  a  small  storehouse  at 
Will's  Creek,  and  ordered  goods  to  the  value  of 
£4,000  from  London.  Later  on,  in  1751,  Colonel 
Thomas  Cresap,  who  still  lived  at  Old  town,  undertook 
to  lay  out  the  course  of  a  good  road  from  Will's  Creek 
to  the  mouth  of  the  Monongahela,  now  Pittsburgh. 
He  employed,  as  his  assistamt,  a  friendly  Indian 
named  Nemacolin,  and  they  together  marked  out  the 
road  to  be  followed  by  the  company. 

In  June  of  1752,  Mr.  Gist,  as  agent  of  the  Ohio 
(Jompany,  with  Colonel  Fry,  and  two  other  gentlemen, 
commissioners  from  Virginia,  went  to  Logstown,* 
Home  seventeen  miles  below  the  Forks,f  and  made  a 
treaty  with  the  Indians  at  that  point.  The  Indiana 
agreed  not  to  molest  any  settlements  on  the  south 
east  side  of  the  Ohio  River,  but  at  the  same  time  they 
did  not  concede  that  the  English  had  a  right  to  any 
lands  west  of  the  Alleghany  Mountains.  After  the 
treaty  at  Logstown,  Gist  was  appointed  surveyor  for 
the  company,  and  was  told  to  lay  off  a  town  at 
Shurtee's  Creek,  a  little  below  Pittsburgh,  on  the  east 
side  of  the  Ohio,  and  the  sum  of  £400  was  assessed 
to  pay  for  the  construction  of  a  fort.  He,  with 
several  other  families,  then  settled  in  the  valley  of 
the  Monongahela,  not  far  from  the  Creek  above 
named. 

In  this  year,   the  Company  concluded   to  make 


*IjOgHtoKn  was  inhabited  by  ghawanese  and  Delaware*  until  1760,  at  wblofa  time  tbej  kbltii- 
doned  it. 
tPlttaburgb. 


30 


HISTORY  OP  CUMBERLAND. 


[1762. 


iiii:l,:ii 


Will's  Creek  a  permanent  trading  post,  and  with  that 
object  in  view  they  erected  another  storehouse  and 
magazine,  which  became  known  throughout  the 
country  as  the  "New  Storehouse."  The  first  store- 
house built  by  this  company  was  located  on  the  west 
side  of  Will's  Creek,  north  of  the  river,  but  the  New 
Storehouse  was  located  on  the  Virginia  side  of  the 
river,  at  the  foot  of  the  bluff  on  which  now  stands 
the  beautiful  residence  of  Captain  Roger  Perry,  very 
near  the  point  occupied  by  the  abutment  of  the 
Potomac  bridge.  It  was  constructed  of  logs,  and  was 
of  sufficient  dimensions  not  only  to  contain  the  mer- 
chandise of  the  company,  but  to  afford  a  home  for  its 
agents,  as  well  as  a  place  of  retreat  and  defense,  in 
case  of  a  hostile  demonstration  on  the  part  of 
unfriendly  Indians,  which  event  was  liable  to  occur 
at  any  hour. 

This  point  was  regarded  as  a,  very  favorable  or.c 
for  the  future  operations  of  the  company,  since  Indians 
were  numerous,  and  the  furs  obtained  here  were  ot'| 
excellent  quality,  great  variety,  and  satisfactorily 
abundant.  A  heavy  consignment  of  goods  was 
received,  and  as  the  temper  of  the  Indians  did  not 
warrant  a  venture  further  into  the  wilderness 
the  merchandise  was  all  disposed  of  at  Will's  (^reek. 
the  Indians  and  trappers  being  eager  buyers.  After 
the  completion  of  the  New  Storehouse,  a  number  of  | 
trappers  were  engaged,  who  could  be  relied  upon  to 
defend  the  post  in  case  of  savage  hostility,  as  well  as 
to  hunt  and  trap  for  their  employers.  The  Company 
seems  to  have  regarded  Will's  Creek  as  a  part  of  their 
grant,  and  they  evidently  expected   it  to  become  an 


1752.] 


BRITTSI!   AND  FRENCH   CLAIMS. 


HI 


important  point  as  it  should  be  developed  by  immi- 
gration and  civilization.  The  ground  was  surveyed 
on  both  sides  of  Will's  Creek,  and  laid  off'  into  a 
town,  with  streets,  lanes,  &c.,  the  squares  being  sul)- 
divided  into  lots.  The  name  of'Charlottesburg*  was 
given  it,  in  honor  of  Princess  Charlotte  Sophia, 
afterwards  wife  of  King  George  III. 

The  charter  of  the  Ohio  (Jompany  gave  the 
members  thereof  important  advantages  in  trading 
with  the  Indians,  and  as  this  was  a  grant  which 
must  drive  out  of  the  market  many  other  traders,  the 
latter,  of  course,  felt  greatly  aggrieved  thereby,  and 
undertook  to  get  rid  of  this  monopoly  by  inciting  the 
Indians  to  hostility  against  it,  and  fomenting  tr()ul)les 
of  such  a  character  as  to  make  it  unsafe  for  the 
Company  to  send  goods  further  west  than  the  post  at 
Will's  Creek. 

The  lands  granted  the  Ohio  Company  were  claimed 
both  by  the  British  and  French  governments.  The 
former  assumed  to  have  obtained  its  title  from  the 
Iroquois,  through  a  treaty  made  at  Lancaster,  in 
1744,  when  the  British  had  paid  these  Indians  the 
sum  of  £400,  in  consideration  of  which  the  crown 
was  to  receive  and  hold  all  the  land  west  of  the 
Alleghanies  to  the  Mississippi  River.  Two  things 
tended  to  make  this  transfer  rather  a  doubtful 
transaction :  first,  the  Indians  were  made  drunk  with 
rum  before  the  bargain  was  entered  into;  and 
secondly,  they  did  not  rightfully  own  a  foot  of  the 

*A  map  of  this  Town  was  amonRHt  the  papei-  of  the  Ohio  Company,  which  were  in  the  po«- 
seflsion  of  Oeneral  Charlen  Fentoti  Mercer,  who  died  at  Howard,  near  Alexandria,  in  1857. 
Kvery  effort  was  made  to  trace  tlif  destiny  of  these  papers,  but  it  is  altneether  probable  that  they 
have  been  destroyed,  as  the  papers  of  Oeneral  Mercer  were  consi);ned  to  the  care  of  a  distant 
relative  at  tlie  time  oi  his  dcatli,  and  diirint;  the  war  the  house  of  this  gentleman  was  occupied 
by  troops.  The  papers  were  contained  in  chests,  and  when  the  troops  tool<  their  departure  all 
the  documents  bad  disappeared,  since  which  time  uo  trace  ol  them  baa  been  found. 


32 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


territory  thus  bartered.  The  tribes  who  were  in 
possession  of  the  hind  treated  the  affair  with 
contempt,  and  asserted  their  rights  with  evident 
determination.  The  French  claimed  all  this  territory 
by  right  of  discovery,  alleging  that,  since  Father 
Marquette  had  made  a  voyage  from  the  Lakes  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Mississippi,  the  title  to  all  that  region, 
under  the  customs  governing  nations,  was  rightfully 
vested  in  his  sovereign.  The  operations  of  the  agents 
of  the  Ohio  Cpmpany  and  of  the  English  rulers  aroused 
the  jealousy  of  the  French,  and  they  forthwith 
undertook  to  establish  their  authority  in  the  Ohio 
valley.  The  country  was  populated  entirely  by 
Indians,  not  a  solitary  settlement  of  whites  having 
been  established.  The  Red  Men  found  themselves 
placed  between  two  fires;  and  as  the  struggle  thus 
begun  between  the  two  nations,  which  were  contending 
for  the  supremacy  over  the  rich  valleys  and  plains, 
progressed,  each  labored  zealously  to  win  the  alliance 
of  the  natives,  and  thus  strengthen  itself  for  the 
great  contest,  which  they  foresaw  must  soon  come 
to  pass. 

The  troubles  between  the  French  and  English  put 
a  stop  to  the  movements  of  the  Ohio  Company,  and 
it  seems  to  have  done  nothing  further  in  the  prose- 
cution of  its  enterprise,  until  1760.  At  that  date  a 
statement  of  the  Company's  case  was  drawn  up  bj 
Mr.  John  Mercer,  Secretary  to  the  Board,  and  an 
appeal  was  made  to  the  King  for  such  further  orders 
and  instructions  to  the  government  in  Virginia  as 
might  enable  the  Company  to  carry  its  grant  into 
execution.     This  appeal  seems  to  have  met  with  but  I 


1703.] 


THE  OHIO  COMPANY. 


33 


little  attention,  and  the  mutter  remained  in  suspense 
for  three  years.  I^he  Hoard  havin«i-  by  that  time 
grown  impatient  over  the  delay,  determined  to  send 
an  agt?nt  to  England  to  attend  to  its  petition,  and  to 
endeavor  to  secure  such  action  as  would  enable  it  to 
obtain  the  benefits  of  the  grants  made  l<mg  before. 
Colonel  George  Mercer  was  chosen  for  this  important 
duty,  and  went  to  London,  where  he  remained  for 
the  sj)ace  of  six  years,  constantly  urging  the 
Company's  case.  15ut  all  his  efforts  proved  fruitless, 
and  it  was  eventually  agreed  to  merge  the  Ohio 
Company  into  anotlier  organization,  known  as  the 
•'Grand  Company,"  formed  under  Wal pole's  grant. 
The  latter  Company  partly  resulted  from  a  pamphlet 
published  by  Anselm  Yates  Baley,  Esq.,  in  London, 
in  1763,  entitled  "The  Advantages  of  a  Settlement 
up(m  the  Ohio  in  North  America."  Thus  ended 
The  Ojiio  Company." 


WILL  S    CREEK. 


1751-1755. 


The  apparently  Imundless  tcrritor}'  lying  west  of 
the  Alleghany  Mountains  was  a  [)rize  well  calculated 
to  excite  the  interest  of  ambitious  nionarchs,  and  it 
is  not  suri)rising  that  the  struggle  between  the  British 
and  French  lor  its  possession  soon  became  of  the 
most  determined  character.  It  was  a  grand  park  of 
natural  beauties,  where  majestic  forests  were  watered 
by  countless  streams,  and  rich  phuns  lay  in  wait  for 
the  plough,  ready  ti)  yield  an  abundant  harvest  in 
return  for  little  labor. 

Both  parties  [)roceeded  upon  the  ground  that  their 
chiims  were  legitinuite  and  })erfect,  and  the  rights  of  j 
the  Indians  were  wliolly  ignored,  as  being  of  no 
consequence  whatever.  Enghmd  laid  chiim  to  these 
lands  upon  tlie  strength  of  her  treaties  with  the 
Indians,  but  to  the  most  ordinary  judgment  it  must 
be  apparent  that  these  treaties  were  of  no  merit 
whatever,  so  far  as  title  was  concerned,  and  the  real 
owners  utterly  repudiated  the  British  pretensions. 
The  French  cited  still  higher  authority,  and  based  j 
their    claims    upon    the   fact  of  prior  discovery,  b} 


"I'l'ther  James 
[rom  the  Fo.t  an( 
Marquette  was  a 
leariiingas  welh 
J-liristian  religior 
born  in  Quebec  ii 
U'ld  devoted  to  in 


1751.] 


BRITISH  AND  FRENCH  CLAIMS. 


36 


Maniiu'ttc,  and  .loUit't,"'  and  ujxni  the  treaties  of 
Ilynwick,  Utrecht,  and  Aix-la-i'liapelU'.  The  treaties 
of  the  Eiifxlish  had  heen  nia(k»  with  the  Six  Nations, 
a  confederacy  which  hordere<l  on  Lake  Ontario, 
powcrfnl  ill  its  nnmhcrs,  and  upon  iiostile  terms  with 
the  French  and  ail  tiie  tribes  on  the  Canadian  si(U'  of 
the  Lakes,  wiio  were  adherents  of  tiu^  Fiench.  Tiie 
tribes  of  the  Six  Nations  boa^sted  tiiat  their  ancestors 
had,  in  days  lonj^  past,  coiKpiered  tlie  territory  west  of 
the  mountains,  even  to  tiie  waters  of  the  Mississippi. 
Tliey  persisted  in  this  statement,  in  the  face  of  tlie 
utter  denial  given  it  by  the  Indians  who  dwelt  uj)oii 
the  lands,  and  entered  into  treaties  with  the  English, 
whereby  they  formally  traiisferrefl  all  thi-  v  gion  to 
them,  foran  insignificant  consideration.  T'  English 
consulted  their  own  interests  in  the  uiauer,  and 
chose  to  recognize  the  Six  Nations  as  the  parties 
who  alone  had  th(^  [)ower  to  disj)ose  of  this  property. 
The  French  declared  that,  not  only  was  their  title 
l)iised  u\)(m  the  rights  secured  by  the  discoveries  of 
Manpiette,  Jolliet,  Lasalle,  and  other  pioneers,  but 
upon  actual  settlements  made  south  of  Lake  Michigan, 
and  on  the  banks  of  the  Illinois  River.  They  further 
I  declared  that  these  settlements  were  made  many 
years  before  the  English  had  crossed  the  AUeghanies, 
and  that  their  title  was  recognized  by  England  in 
various  treaties  made  with  the  European  powers. 
[This    was    rather    a    far-fetched    fancy,   doubtless, 

'■■Father  James  Miirquette  and  Ijouis  .lolliet,  in  a  bark  canoe,  descended 
I  from  tlie  Fox  and  Wisconsin  rivers  to  tiie  Mississippi,  in  June,  1(373.  Father 
Murquette  was  a  native  ot  Lnon  in  Picardy  ;  he  was  a  man  of  great  skill  and 
Jiearning  as  well  as  of  extraordinary  courage,  and  devoted  to  the  spread  of  the 
I  Christian  religion.  Louis  Jolliett  was  the  son  of  a  wheel-wright,  and  was 
I  born  in  Quebec  in  164.5.  He  was  thoroughly  educated,  talented  and  pious, 
|und  devoted  to  mathematics  and  geography. 


36 


HISTOKV  OF  CUMBERLANU. 


inasmuch  as  the  passage  of  a  Frenchman  down  the 
Mississippi,  and  tlie  establishment  of  a  few  settlements 
on  that  and  st)me  adjacent  streams,  could  scai'cely  be 
called,  by  any  stretch  of  the  imagination,  a  discovery 
of  the  immense  territory  which  covered  at  least  one 
fourth  of  the  continent.  Their  claim  might,  with 
equal  propriety,  have  been  made  to  embrace  the 
region  west  of  the  Mississippi  to  the  Ilocky  Moun- 
tains. 

The  proprietary  of  the  actual  inhabitants,  the 
Indians  whose  ancestors  for  ages  had  held  these 
lands,  was  wholly  ignored  by  the  intruders  from  the 
Old  World,  and  the  natives  ({uestioned  air  igst 
themselves  how  it  was  that  they  should  so  suddenly, 
and  without  any  act  of  their  own,  have  all  their 
estate  put  in  jeopardy,  and  Ix^  brought  to  the  verge 
of  a  homeless  and  landless  condition. 

The  Six  Nations  occupied  a  position  on  the  borders 
between  the  French  and  FiUgllsh  colonies,  a  geographi- 
cal location  giving  them  great  iniiuence,the  importance 
of  which  they  were  not  slow  Lo  comprehend,  and  they 
lost  no  opportunity  to  make  the  most  of  the 
advantages  they  enjoyed.  Shortly  after  the  iirst 
settlement  of  French  on  the  Lakes,  a  warfare  of 
the  most  sanguinary  character  was  waged  between 
them  and  the  Indians  of  these  tribes,  the  result  of 
which  was  that  the  Six  Nations  threw  their  interests 
into  the  scale  with  the  English.  The  French 
endeavored  by  every  means  of  persuasion  and  bribery 
to  win  the  savages  to  their  cause,  and  the  English 
found  it  necessary  to  be  constantly  manifesting  their 
friendship  by  the  liberal  distribution  of  such  gifts  as 


1751.] 


BRITISH    AND   FRENCH    CLAIMS. 


37 


were  most  dear  to  the  Indian  heart.  The  ambition 
of  these  tribes  was  hardly  surpassed  by  that  of  the 
white  powers  struggling  for  territorial  aggrandize- 
ment, and  they  had  previously  laid  elaini  to  niueh 
of  the  land  embraced  in  the  colonial  grants  of 
Maryland  and  Pennsylvania.  This  had  been  a  source 
of  great  annovance  to  the  Governors  of  these  States, 
and,  as  the  easiest  method  of  getting  rid  of  the  matter, 
the  Six  Nations  had  been  called  to  Lancaster,  Pa., 
on  the  30th  of  June,  1744,  when  a  treaty  was  made, 
whereby  the  Indians  relin(|uished  all  their  claims  to 
Maryland  territory,  in  consideration  »f  the  sum  of 
i^300  paid  them.  That  treaty  read  in  part  as  follows : 
"Now,  know  ye,  that  for  and  in  consideration  of 
the  sum  of  three  hundred  pounds,  current  money  of 
Pennsylvania,  paid  and  delivered  to  the  above  named 
Sachems  or  Chiefs,  partly  in  goods  and  partly  in  gold 
money,  by  said  commissioners,'-'  they,  the  said 
Sachems  or  Chiefs,  on  ])elialf  of  the  said  Nations,  do 
hereby  renounce  and  disclaim  to  the  right  honorable 
the  Lord  Baltimore,  lo^d  proprietary  of  the  said 
province  of  Maryland,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  all 
pretence  of  right  or  claim  wdiatsocver,  of  the  said 
Six  Nations,  of,  in  or  to  any  lands  that  lie  on 
Potomac,  alias  Cohongaronton,  or  Susquehanna 
Rivers,  or  in  any  other  ])lace  between  the  great  bay 
of  Chesapeake  and  a  line  beginning  at  about  two 
miles  above  the  u[)permost  fork  of  Cohongaronton  or 
Potomac  on  the  North  Branch  of  the  said  fork  ;  near 
whic     fork  Captain  Thomas  Cresap  has  a  hunting  or 


*The!ie  commissioners  were  Edmuud  Jenniogs,  Philip  Thomas,    Robert 
Kiug,  aud  Thomas  Colville. 


38 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


trading  c.ibin,  and  trora  thence  by  a  north  course 
to  the  boundaries  of  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  so  with  the  bounds  of  the  said  Province  of 
Pennsylvania  to  Susquehanna  River;  but  in  case  such 
limits  shall  not  include  the  present  inhabitants  or 
settlers,  then  so  many  line  or  lines,  course  or  courses, 
from  the  said  two  miles  above  the  fork,  to  the 
outermost  inhabitant  or  settlement,  as  shall  include 
every  settlement  and  inhabitant  of  Maryland,  and 
from  thence  by  a  north  line  to  the  bounds  of  the 
Province  of  Pennsylvania,  shall  be  deemed  and 
construed  the  limits  intended  by  these  presents; 
anything  hereinbefore  contained,  to  the  contrary, 
notwithstanding.  And  the  said  Sachems  or  Chiefs 
do  hereby,  on  behalf  of  the  said  Six  United  Nations, 
declare  their  consent  and  agreement  to  be  that  every 
person  or  persons  whatsoever,  who  now  is,  or  shall 
be  hereafter,  settled  or  seated  in  any  part  of  the  said 
province,  so  as  to  be  out  of  the  limits  aforesaid,  shall 
nevertheless  continue  in  their  peaceable  possessions 
free  and  undisturbed,  and  be  esteemed  as  brethren 
by  the  Six  Nations.  In  witness  whereof,  the  said 
Sachems  or  Chiefs,  for  themselves,  and  on  behalf  of 
the  people  of  the  Six  Nations  aforesaid,  have  hereunto 
set  their  hands  and  seals,  the  thirtieth  day  of  June, 
in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  one  thousand  seven  hundred 
and  forty-four." 

The  French  Governor  of  Canada  quickly  perceived 
the  importance  of  establishing  such  strongholds  as 
would  enable  him  to  sustain  the  position  assumed  by 
his  government  in  regard  to  American  territory.  He 
had  already  fortifications  extending  along  the  lakes, 


iimniiniitio 


175;{.] 


CAPTAIN   TRENT  S  MISSION. 


and  the  English  soon  received  intelligence  to  the 
effect  that  he  w.'is  preparing  to  erect  fortifications 
and  establish  posts  on  the  head  waters  of  the  Ohio 
River.  In  fact,  he  had  determined  to  construct  a 
complete  chain  of  military  works  from  Canada  to 
Louisiana,  reaching  from  Lal^e  Ontario  to  the  forks 
of  the  Monongahela  and  Youghiogheny,  thence  along 
the  Ohio  to  its  mouth,  and  from  that  point  to 
Louisiana  along  the  Mississippi. 

This  aroused  the  P^nglish  to  action  at  once,  and  as 
their  traders  had  been  driven  away  from  the  Ohio 
by  the  French,  and  some  of  them  taken  off  as 
prisoners,  they  conclued  that  no  time  was  to  be  lost 
in  c^hocking  the  operations  of  their  enemy.  A  mes- 
senger, Captain  William  Trent,  was  sent  over  the 
mountains  by  Governor  Dinwiddies  order,  in  the 
guise  of  a  trader,  with  presents  of  fire  arms  and 
anunuuition  for  the  Indians,  liis  mission  being  to 
ascertain  their  temper  and  disposition,  as  well  as  to 
k'arn  accurately  the  movements  and  intentions  of 
the  French,  lie  was  directx^d  to  extend  his  visit  to 
the  important  points  akmg  the  Allegliany  River,  but, 
either  from  intimidation  or  deception,  his  mission  was 
t»iily  partly  accom[)lished,  and  he  returned  with  little 
information  of  a  satisfactory  character. 

During  Trent's  jibsence  (Jovernor  Dinwiddle  had 
received  orders  from  the  British  Ministry  to  buikl 
two  forts  near  the  Ohio  River,  in  order  to  establish 
possession,  and  tf)  serve  notice  upon  the  French  to 
leave  that  section,  as  well  as  to  cultivates  the  friend- 
ship of  the  Indians,  and  to  intimidate  those  who 
might  prove  unfriendly.     There  had  been,  however, 


40 


HISTORY  OF    CUMBERLAND. 


already  too  much  delay,  and  the  Governor  of  Canada 
had  by  that  time  established  military  posts  throughout 
the  disputed  territory.  For  months  he  had  been 
sending  his  troops  across  the  lakes,  to  the  headwaters 
of  the  Ohio,  while  others  had  ascended  the  Mississippi 
from  Louisiana,  and  taken  position  near  the  falls  of 
Ohio.  They  were  well  supplied  with  arms,  ammu- 
nition and  stores;  roads  had  been  opened,  and 
commiuiication  established  from  the  forks  to  the 
Iiakes. 

Accompanying  the  orders  of  the  British  Ministry 
to  Governor  Dinwiddie  were  thirty  light  cannon 
and  eighty  barrels  of  powder.  To  carry  into  effect 
the  orders  received,  the  Governoi-  called  upon  Major 
George  Washington,  believing  him  to  l)e  particularly 
well  qualified  for  the  delicate  duties  to  be  discharged. 
Washington  was  as  yet  barely  twenty-one  years  of 
age,  yet  he  was  known  to  l)e  possessed  of  mature 
judgment,  nice  discrimination,  imdoubted  ability, 
great  endurance,  as  well  as  pretty  accurate  knowledge 
of  Indian  manners  and  customs.  He  had  spent  much 
time  in  the  woods,  was  a  good  surveyor,  and  had  the 
energy  necessary  to  overcome  any  obstacles  that 
might  reas(mably  l)e  expected  to  present  themselves. 
Washington  accepted  the  charge  offered  him.  He 
was  furnished  with  written  instructions,  the  necessary 
credentials,  and  a  passport  bearing  the  great  seal  of 
the  colony  of  Virginia.  His  orders  were,  to  proceed 
at  once  to  Logstown,  there  to  see  Tanacharisson, 
Scarooyadi,  and  other  Indian  Chiefs,  and  make  known 
to  them  the  object  of  his  visit,  and  after  learning 
the  whereabouts  of  the  French  to  request  an  escort 


1753.] 


WASHINGTON    AT    WILLS    CREEK. 


41 


of  warriors  to  the  hoadqiualers  of  the  French 
cDmmandaiit,  to  whom  hs  \7ii»  to  present  his 
<'rcHlentials,  together  with  a  letter  from  the  Governor 
of  Virginia,  and  demand  an  answer  in  the  nf\me  of 
His  Britanic  Majesty.  He  was  also  to  inform 
himself  accurately  as  to  the  strength  and  position 
of  the  French,  what  reinforcements  they  expected 
from  the  Canadian  borders,  the  number,  character 
and  location  of  their  forts,  the  disposition  of  the 
Indians,  and  such  other  facts  as  might  be  of  import- 
ance, including  the  object  and  intentions  of  the 
enemy.  '  •  . 

He  left  Williamsburg,  on  this  perilous  undertaking, 
on  the  31st  of  October,  1753,  the  day  after  receiv- 
ing his  instructions.  On  arriving  at  the  town  of 
Fredericksburg,  he  secured  the  services  of  Jacob 
Vanbraam,  his  old  fencing-master,  a  Dutchman  by 
birth,  and  John  Davidson,  an  interpreter.  He  then 
repaired  to  Winchester,  where  he  procured  an  oitfit 
of  tents,  blankets,  horses,  and  such  other  equipments 
as  were  necessary,  after  which  he  proceeded  to 
Will's  Creek.  Here  he  found  Christopher  Gist,  who 
had  a  cabin  at  this  place,  and  who  gave  him  a 
cordial  welcome.  Gist  was  an  intrepid  pioneer, 
versed  in  woodcraft,  and  familiar  Avith  the  forests, 
which  he  had  penetrated  time  and  again,  having 
previously  rendered  valuable  services  to  the  Ohio 
Company,  as  a  guide.  Washington  induced  Gist  to 
accompany  him.  and  secured,  besides,  four  other 
frontiersmen,  with  which  company  he  set  out  to 
cross  the  mountains.  In  Gist's  Journal,  published 
in  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society's  collections, 


42 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBKRLAND. 


we  find  the  following  entrioH  regarding  thiis  matter: 
"Wednesday,  14th  Nov.,  175:].— Then  Major 
George  Washington  came  to  my  house  at  Will's 
Creek,  and  delivered  me  a  letter  from  the  (Council 
in  Virginia,  requesting  me  to  attend  him  up  to  the 
commandant  of  the  French  fort  on  the  Ohio  river. 

"Thursday,  15th. — We  set  out,  and  at  night 
encamped  at  George's  Creek,  ahout  eight  miles, 
where  a  messenger  came  with  letters  from  my  son, 
who  was  just  returned  from  his  people  at  the 
Cherokees,  and  lay  sick  at  the  mouth  of  the  Cono- 
gocheague.  But  as  I  found  myself  entered  again  on 
public  business,  and  Major  Washington  and  all  the 
compan}'  unwilling  I  should  return,  I  wrote  and 
sent  medicines  to  my  son,  and  so  continued  my 
journey,  and  encamped  at  a  big  hill  in  the  forks  of 
the  Youghiogany,  about  18  miles." 

Several  days  later  they  encamped  at  Gist's  new 
house,  near  the  Big  Yough,  which  he  had  built  us 
the  nucleus  of  another  settlement.  The  following 
night  they  spent  at  Jacob's  Cabins,  twenty  miles 
further  on,  and  the  folloAving  day  reached  John 
Frazier's,  twelve  miles  distant,  at  the  mouth  of 
Turtle  creek.  Frazier  had  long  been  engaged  in 
trading  with  the  Indians,  and  spent  a  considerable 
portion  of  his  time  in  repairing  the  guns  of  the 
trappers  and  savages.  lie  had  recently  been  located 
in  the  Indian  village  of  Venango;  but  the  French 
had  compelled  him  to  leave,  and  he  returned  to  his 
house  on  Turtle  creek.  The  season  was  most 
unpropitious,  the  mountains  being  covered  with 
snow,  and  the   streamb  swollen    to  such  an  extent 


175P,.] 


WASHINGTON    AT    LOGSTOWN. 


43 


that  they  could  not  bo  forded,  so  that  the  horses 
were  forced  to  swim  them.  The  roads  were  poor  and 
difficult  at  best,  but  now  wei\'  ahnost  inipassal)le  in 
numerous  places,  and  the  adventurers  could  take 
themselves  and  their  baggage  across  the  streams  only 
by  means  of  hastily  constructed  rafts.  After  reaching 
Frazier's,  Washington  was  furnished  with  a  canoe, 
in  which  he  placed  all  his  baggage,  and  putting  it 
in  charge  of  two  of  his  men,  sent  it  down  the 
Monongahela  to  its  mouth.  He  went  on  by  land, 
with  the  remainder  of  the  party,  and  arrived  there 
ahead  of  the  canoe.  Washington  examined  the 
ground  very  carefull}',  and  declared  it  to  be  an 
admirable  point  for  a  fort,  which  opinion  was  justified 
by  the  action  of  the  French  officers  shortly  afterwards, 
when  they  built,  on  the  identical  spot.  Fort  Duquesne. 
On  the  24th  of  November,  Washington  arrived  at 
Logstown,  where  Tanacharison,  the  Half-King  had 
his  headquarters.  The  Half-King  held  a  private 
coiifcMence  with  Washington  on  the  25th,  and  on  the 
day  following  the  Chiefs,  including  Sliingi,  the  King 
of  the  Del.'iwares,  met  in  the  council  house,  when 
Washington  addressed  them  in  a  speech,  explaining 
the  objects  of  his  mission,  telling  them  what 
were  the  wishes  of  the  (Jovernor.  and  re(|uesting  an 
escort  of  young  Indians  to  aceonqiany  him  to  the 
French  connnander  s  post.  The  speech  concluded, 
he  presented  the  letter  he  had  ))rought  and  a  belt  of 
wampum,  both  of  Avhicli  were  accepted  by  the  Half- 
King,  who  said  the  English  were  the  brothers  of 
the  Indians,  that  his  people  would  return  to  the 
French  the  speech  belts  that  had  been  left  with  them, 


Pkh<'.fcft<fi%*'i«;^Jrt,fc . 


44 


HISTORY  OK    CUMBERLAND. 


[1753.  ■  1753.] 


and  that  the  requisite  escort  would  be  iiirninhed.  As 
the  younj5  men  were  absent,  Washington  was 
compelled,  nmch  against  his  will,  to  wait  three  days, 
at  the  end  of  which  time  he  set  out  with  four  Indians 
and  an  additional  trapper.  The  distance  to  the 
Frenchman's  headquarters  was  only  about  one  hun- 
dred miles,  but  the  inclemency  of  the  weather,  and 
the  condition  of  the  roads,  were  such  that  seven  days 
were  consumed  in  the  journey,  and  it  was  the  4th  of 
Decemlxir  when  the  party  arrived  at  Venango,  where 
Captain  Joncaire  was  in  connnand.  The  headquai^ 
ters,  however,  was  some  distance  further  on,  and 
through  the  worst  kind  of  weather,  Washington, 
after  two  days'  delay,  pushed  on  tn  thnt  point,  wb^ro 
he  presented  his  letters  to  the  Chevalier  de  St. 
Pierre,  the  commandant.  He  was  a  dignified,  courtly 
gentleman,  of  mature  .age,  a  knight  of  the  military 
order  of  St.  Louis,  and  affiible  and  kindly  in  his 
manners.  He  had  Washington  and  his  attendants 
comfortably  provided  for,  and  promised  to  give  his 
immediate  attention  to  the  letter  brought  him  from 
the  Governor  of  Virginia.  This  letter  was  a  protest 
against  the  encroachments  of  the  French  upon  what 
Governor  Dinwiddle  declared  to  be  lands  belonging 
to  the  English  crown;  it  demanded  to  know  by  what 
right,  and  upon  whose  authority,  French  soldiers  had 
been  sent  across  the  lakes,  to  establish  military  posts, 
and  it  concluded  by  insisting  that  they  should  with- 
draw to  Canada  without  delay.  The  French 
commandant  responded,  by  letter,  that  he  did  not 
make  the  treaties  and  could  not  discuss  them ;  he  was 
a  soldier  obeying  orders,  and  that  the  protests  made 


n 


shouh 
Manpii.' 
then  act 
to  retire 
to  carry 
hereafte 
The  p 
and  dm 
opportun 
making  ;i 
its  size,  s 
He  had  h 
about  the 
hpjnn-  con 
On  the : 
set  out  o] 
after  tweb 
quent  upoi 
Will's  Cre< 
the  night 
for  Williai 
IGth  of  Jai 
the  letter  ( 
Washing 
the    Frenc 
council  by 
tion  of  the 
immediate 
of  the   Fr. 
longer  be  a 
since  they 
the  territoi 


17511] 


RETURN    OF    WASHINGTON    AND   GIST. 


45 


should  bo  addressed  to  the  Governor  of  Canada, 
Mar(|uiH  Duquesne,  under  whose  instructions  he  was 
then  acting  and  should  continue  to  act.  He  declined 
to  retire  t'roni  his  position,  and  said  he  would  endeavor 
to  carry  into  effect  such  orders  as  he  might  receive 
hereafter  from  those  whom  he  was  serving. 

The  pre})aration  of  this  letter  o<!cupied  some  days, 
and  during  this  time  Washington  made  good  use  of  his 
opportunities,  in  taking  observations  of  the  fort,  and 
making  a  drawing  of  it,  which  was  complete,  showing 
its  size,  shape  and  strength,  both  in  men  and  artillery. 
He  had  his  men  also  take  cognizance  of  everything 
al)out  the  place,  count  the  canoes  on  hand  and  those 
being  constnirted. 

On  the  25th  of  December,  Washington  and  his  party 
set  out  on  their  return  home,  from  Venango,  and 
after  twelve  days  of  exposure  and  hardships,  conse- 
(juent  upon  the  severity  of  the  weather,  he  reached 
Will's  Creek,  on  the  Gth  of  January,  where  he  spent 
the  night  with  Mr.  Gist,  and  left  the  following  day 
for  Williamsburg,  at  which  town  he  arrived  on  the 
IGtli  of  January,  and  delivered  to  Governor  Dinwiddle 
the  letter  of  M.  de  8t.  Pierre. 

Washington's  journal,  and  the  letter  he  bore  from 
the  French  commandant,  were  submitted  to  the 
council  by  the  (Governor,  and  alter  a  careful  considera- 
tion of  the  matter  it  was  unanimously  concluded  that 
iiiunediate  steps  should  be  taken  to  repel  the  invasion 
of  the  French,  by  force  of  arms.  There  could  no 
longer  be  a  doubt  as  to  the  intentions  of  the  French, 
since  they  had  emphatically  declared  their  right  to 
the  territory  in  dispute,  and  their  determination  to 


40 


HISTORY  OF  CUMnERLAND. 


retain    jmsscsHion    of    it,  if    possible.     The   council, 
therefore,  endorsed  the  Governor's  determination  to 
send  an  armed  Ibrce  at  once  to  the  Ohio,  and  orders 
were  issued  directing  that  two  companies,  each  one 
hundred     strong,    should     be    raised    by    voluntary 
enlistment ;   in  case  the  requisite  number  could  not 
be  secured  in    that    way,  resort  was  to  be  had  toj 
drafts    from    the   militia.     Major   Washington    wasi 
chosen  to  the  chief  command  of  these  troops,  and  his| 
journal  was  published  in  all  the  newspapers  of  the 
Colonies,   with  the  purpose  of  arousing  the  people 
to  an  appreciation  of  the  situation. 

The  importance  of  securing  the  estal)lishment  of  nl 
military  post  on  the  Ohio,  before  the  French   wouM 
be  able   to  begin   operations   in   the   spring,  led  thei 
Governor  to   confer  the  command  of  one  compiniv 
upon     Captain    William    Trent,    who    had    (juite   til 
familiar  acquaintance  with  the  frontiers,  and  who  itl 
was  supposed   could  readily  enlist  a  large   force  oil 
trappers  and  pioneers.     Captain  Trent  enlisted  abonlj 
seventy   men,  and,  as  time  was  important,  did  noti 
wait  for  more,  but  started   with  these  for  the  Ohio, 
The  sum  of  £10,(J0()  had  been  appropriated   by  thcj 
Assembly  of  Virginia,  for  the  purpose  of  erecting 
fort  or  forts  at  the  junction  of  the  Monongahela  audi 
Alleghany  Rivers,  at  which  point  the  Ohio  Companij 
had   already    partly   constructed   a   fortified    tradiiiJ 
house.     Captain  Trent's  command  was  supi)lied  witl 
ten  four-pounder  field  pieces,  and  eighty  barrels  ol 
powder,  all  of  which  had  been  sent  over  from  P^nglaiulj 
In  addition.  Governor  Dinwiddle  supplied  such  small 
arms  and  accoutrements  as  were  necessary,  togethej 


754. 


1754.] 


ENSKJN    WAKDS    SURRENDER. 


47 


nicil, 
)n  to 
irdevH 
\   Olio 
iitary 
(I  not 
liul  to  I 
n    wan  i 
,nd  his  I 
of  the 
peopk'  I 

nt  of  a' 
woultV 
led  thcl 
lOmpaiiY 
(jiiite  a| 
who  it 
force  of 
(I  about 
did  not 
e  OUioJ 


with  [thirty  touts,  and   fh)ur,  pork,  beof  and  nun,  to 

last  six  months.     The  unil'oriii  worn  by  these  troops 

was  of  the  most  conspieiious  character,  consistin;;  of 

a  red  coat,  and  breeches  of  the  same  color,  with  white 

cross    i)elts.      Trent   arrived  with    his   company,  at 

Wills  Creek,  early   in   February,  and  after  making 

I  such   pre[)arations  as  were   necessary  for  the  march 

tlnoujrh  the  wilderness,  pushed  on  to  the  Forks.     On 

larriving  there   he   set  his   men  to  work  to  prepai-e 

Itiiiibers  and  construct  a  fort,  on  the  site  now  occupied 

|l>y  Pittsburgh.      In'  March,  he  left  Ensign  Ward  in 

Iconuiiand  of  his   company,  and    returned  to    Will's 

L'reck,  at  which  point  he  seems  to  have  liad  some 

)usiness.     On    the    17th   of  April,   during  Captain 

Treiit's  absence.  Monsieur  de  Contrecoeur,  with  a  force 

about  eight  hundred  men,  eighteen  pieces  of  artil- 

»ry,  sixty  batteaux  and  three  hundred  canoes,  came 

lown  the  river    from    Venango,  and  demanded  the 

junvnder   of  the  fort.     Ward  was  a  young  officer, 

[lid  had  scarcely  fifty  men  with  him.     Nothing  was 

?ft  I'or  him  but  to  yield  to  the  greatly^  superior  force 

his  front;  and  upon  receiving  permission  to  march 


hy  theHut  with    his   men  and  their  tools,  he  gave    up  the 

acting  aftrt    to   the    French,    who    at    once    proceeded    to 

liela  aii<iBi'engthen    it,  and   add  new  works,  soon   making  it 

ompan}Bii)able  of  resisting  any  force  that  was  likely  to  be 

tradiu'mought  against  it.  The  ])ost  was  then  garrisoned 
lied  witlR'  nearly  one  thousand  men,  under  such  officers  as 
lirrels  oBimonville,  de  Villiers,  and  La  Force,  and  was  named 

^n"'hiii*lw>i't  Duquesne. 

ch  snialB  Meanwhile,  tlie  Governor  of  V^irginia  h;  i  concluded 

tooetbeH  increase  the  force  destined  for  the  Ohio    to   six 


48 


HISTORY   OF   (^.UMBEULAND. 


'^   in    every   way   capable,    wan    then    given     tlio 
iiand,  and  Washington  accepted  the  position  of 


hundred  men,  and  the  (^onnnand  was  tendered 
Wasiiington,  hut  by  reason  of  his  youth,  lie  was 
doubtful  of  his  own  fitness  for  so  great  a  responsi- 
bility, and  therefore  de(;line(l  it.  Cohniel  .losliua 
Fry,  a  gentleman  of  English  birth,  highly  esteemed. 
a 
c 

Lieutenant  Colonel,  be(;oming  second  in  authority. 
The  ranks  were  slowly  increased,  by  the  accjuisition 
of  a  lot  of  shiftless  fellows,  who  were  destitute  of 
everything  except  very  scanty  clothing,  which  was 
rather  discouraging  to  the  officers.  Dinwiddle,  in 
order  to  encourage  enlistments,  issued  a  proclama- 
tion, offering  some  two  hundred  thousand  acres  of 
land  on  the  Ohio,  to  be  called  "garrison  lands," 
which  were  to  be  divided  among  the  men  who 
sir  'Id  serve  in  the  expedition.  This  offer  led 
1  "eds  of  young  men  from  the  Virginia  farms  to 
take  up  arms,  with  a  view  to  securing  homesteads 
for  themselves.  North  Carolina  took  stei)s  towards 
aiding  Virginia  in  the  exmtest  against  the  French, 
but  Maryland  was  inclined  to  do  nothing  at  all. 

Washingt^ju  left  Alexandria  for  Will's  Creek,  on 
the  2d  of  April,  with  two  companies  of  seventy-five 
men  each.  Colonel  Fry  was  to  follow  with  the 
remainder  of  the  regiment,  and  the  artillery.  After 
being  detained  a  whole  week  at  Winchester,  in 
impressing  the  horses  and  wagons  necessary  for  the 
transportation  of  stores,  Washington  pursued  his 
march,  building  the  roads  as  he  went.  He  arrived 
at  Will's  Creek  on  the  20th  of  April,  where  it  had 
been  arranged    that  Captain    Trent  should   have  a 


1754.] 


A    niLL   OF    KXl'ENSES. 


40 


siii)|)lv  of  pnck  h.)rs(»s  rviidy  lor  tho  oso  of  the 
coininand  in  ('rossinjij  the  mountains.  Instead  of 
lindin^i"  the  horses,  however,  he  found  Trent  liere, 
totally  unprepared  for  him,  and  was  utterly  downcast 
hv  a  rumor  l)rou<j;ht  him  to  the  elVeet  that  the  entire 
comniand  at  the  Forks  had  heen  captured.  Trent's 
iiiclliciency  and  incapacity  had  heen  demonstrated 
on  a  former  (H'ca.'.ion,  and  Washin<rton  was  now 
thoroujrhly  dissatisfied  with  him.  The  intelligence 
from  tlu!  Ohio  was  partially  confirmed  by  the 
arrival  of  Knsign  Ward  and  his  men  at  Will's 
Creek,  on  the  'i'lth.  Ward  was  acc(mipanied  by  two 
Indian  Chieftains,  whom  Tanacharisson,  the  Half- 
King,  had  sent  as  messengers  to  plight  his  faith  to 
the  English,  and  to  ask  them  to  come  on  to  the  Ohio. 
The  following  acconnt  was  filed  with  Governor 
Dinwiddie,  by  Captain  Trent,  on  account  of  expenses 
incurred  in  the  expedition  made  undei*  his  coiamand, 
showing  the  method  of  transporting  ammunition,  and 
the  character  of  presents  given  the  Indians: 
'•The  Government  of  Virginia  to  William  Trent,  Dr. 
'•For  Carriage  of  Fonrteen  Horses  Loaded  with 
bk,  on  H  Powder,  Lead  and  Flints,  from  Col.  Cresaps'  to  Ohio 
[y-five  H  River,  at  2  Pistoles  a  Load  is  28  Pistoles,  &c. — 
I  theB  "To  12  Deer  Skins— For  9  Doe  Bear  Skins— 
[After  ■  3500  Black  and  White  Wampum — For  Piece  of 
k?  "'  I  "^f^tch  coat  to  wrap  pow^der  in — 
|r  theH  "l  Gun,  1  Pistol  and  Match  Coat,  gave  to  one  of 
hi?  ■  the  Six  Chiefs  of  the  Six  Nations,  who  came  down 
Irivcd  I  from  the  upper  Towns, — as  he  came  upon  Business 
had  I  he  brought  no  arms  with  him,  he  said  it  was  hard 
live  a  I  for  him  to  go  home  Avithout  amies,  as  he  should  run  a 


50 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


great  Risque,  as  he  was  obliged  to  go  through  the 
French  to  warn  their  People  from  amongst  them — 
One  Case  of  neat  Pistols  'gave  to  the  Half-King  and 
Monecatootha,  and  2  fine  Ruffled  Shirts,  and  2  plain 
shirts  for  themselves  and  Wives' — These  given  as  a 
particular  Present,  sent  by  the  Governor  to  them — 
&c.,  &c.         ******         * 

*'N.  B. — There  is  no  carrying  out  Powder  without 
Skin  Wrappers,  &c — there  is  no  such  thing  as  Carry- 
ing Powder,  without  damaging  without. 

William  Trent." 

Washington's  situation  became  one    of   the  most 
serious  character,  for  a  young  officer.     Will's  Creek 
was  on  the   very    outskirts   of    civilization.      The 
country  beyond  was  an  unbroken  and  almost  pathless 
wilderness;    it    was    separated    by    many   miles    of 
tortuous  mountain  roads  from  the  settlements  in  the 
East;  the  French  were  vastly  superior  in  numbers, 
and  he    was  advised  that  their  strength   was  daily 
increasing,  while  at  least  six  hundred  Chippewas  and 
Ottawas   were   also   about   to  reinforce  the   enemy. 
Colonel  Fry  had  not   yet  arrived,  and  Washington 
keenly  appreciated   the  heavy  respcmsibility  resting 
upon    his    shoulders.     To    add   to    his    annoyance. 
Captain    Trent's   men,   never    having    known    the 
restraints  of  wholesome  discipline,  roved  about  tlie 
camp  at  Will's  Creek,  in  utter  disregard  of  orders, 
and  set  so  bad  an  example  for  the  other  troops  that 
Washington   feared   all  would   become  dciiioralized, 
and  subordination  in  the  ranks  of  his  own  men  be 
destroyed.     After  spending  hours  in  deep  thought  in 
his  own  tent,  over  the  situation,  he  concluded  to  call 


^Brownsville,  Pa 


1754.] 


THE    FIRST    ROAD   TO   THE  WEST. 


51 


;i  council  of  war;  and  summoned  his  ofliccrs  to  meet 
him  at  once.  He  notified  them  that  he  had  sent 
expresses  to  the  Governors  ol'  Virginia,  Maryland 
and  Pennsylvania,  telling  them  of  his  condition,  and 
asking  that  reinforcements  l)e  sent  him  at  once. 
The  resolution  of  the  council  of  war  was  promptly 
taken,  and  preparations  were  instantly  made  to  push 
on  boldly  and  vigorously  into  the  forests,  and  to  build 
51  road  as  they  went.  The  project  w.as,  to  proceed  to 
the  store  house  of  the  Ohio  Company,  at  the  mouth 
of  Redstone  Creek,*  there  to  establish  fortifications, 
;md  wait  until  the  arrival  of  reinforcements.  In 
compliance  with  this  determination,  orders  were  issued 
detailing  sixt}^  men  and  a  number  of  subordinate 
officers,  who  were  directed  to  proceed  in  advance 
and  prepare  the  roads.  The  route  taken  from  Will's 
Creek  led  immediately  into  a  virgin  forest,  which 
presented  innumerable  obstacles.  Great  trees  Avere 
cut  away,  rocks  removed,  and  bridges  built.  This 
road  was  the  same  that  had  ])een  ])lazed  by  Nemacolin 
at  the  time  he  and  Colonel  Cresap  first  selected  a 
route  over  the  mountains.  It  was  afterwards 
followed  by  a  part  of  Braddock's  army,  under  the 
advice  of  Sii'  John  Ft.  Clair.  The  writer,  in  company 
ith  T.  Leiper  Patterson,  Esq.,  an  eminent  engineer* 
in  Cumberland,  walked  over  several  miles  of  this 
road,  starting  at  Cumberland,  in  the  summer  of  1877, 
and  clearly  traced  it  as  far  as  the  Six  Mile  House, 
Ion  the  National  Road.  The  route  pursued  on  leaving 
Will's  Creek  was  along  the  valley  in  which  Green 
j  street  extended  now  lies,  the  same  being  the  exact 


*Brownsville,  Pa. 


52 


HISTORV  OF    CUMHERLAND. 


course  of  the  old  National  Pike.  Aljout  a  hundied 
yards  East  of  Mr.  Steele's  house,  and  just  where 
the  Cresaptown  Road  now  leads  oft'  southward, 
the  road  which  Washington  followed  bore  slightly 
to  the  North,  and  ran  in  almost  a  perfectly  straight 
line  to  nearly  the  top  of  Will's  Mountain,  involving 
a  very  heavy  grade,  and  from  there  descended 
to  the  level  of  the  Old  Pike  at  Sandy  Gap.  The 
ascent  of  the  mountain  is  steep  enough  to  explain 
the  slow  progress  made  with  heavily  laden  teams  and 
artillery,  yet  in  many  respects  the  road  was  admira- 
bly chosen;  it  avoided  the  ravines  so  as  to  obviate 
the  necessity  of  bridges  or  culverts,  until  the  valley 
beyond  was  reached,  and  much  of  the  distance  on  the 
higher  part  of  the  mountain  was  smooth  and 
comparatively  clear  of  rocks.  At  Sandy  (Jap  it 
crossed  to  the  valley  in  which  the  present  National 
Road  lies,  and  by  an  eas}^  descent  led  to  the  base  of  | 
the  hills.  Near  the  Five  Mile  House  the  old  road 
can  be  traced,  wdiere  it  crosses  from  the  left  to  the 
right  side  of  the  National  l^oad,  and  runs  along 
within  a  few  yards  of  it,  a  little  higher  up,  on  the 
hill  side,  until  within  two  hundred  yards  of  the  Six 
Mile  House.  The  road  is  as  plain  to-day  as  it  was  a 
ixundred  years  ago,  notwithstanding  trees  of  more 
than  a  foot  in  diameter  are  growing  thickly  in  its 
bed.  Having  been  used  for  sixty-live  years,  as  the 
only  road  to  the  West,  until  1818,  when  the  National 
Pike  was  built,  it  became  well  worn.  The  banks  of 
the  road  and  the  evidences  of  its  having  been  much 
used  are  surprisingly  plain.  The  descent  from  the 
highest  point  on  the   mountain  is  easy  enough  for 


1754.] 


THE    ADVANCE    FROM    WILLS   CREEK. 


53 


safety,  and  from  the  point  of  pas.sage  through  Sandy 
Gap  was  quite  gentle.  This  was  the  first  road  built 
iicross  the  mountains,  and  must  ever  possess  a  peculiar 
historic  interest. 

Washington  had  sent  a  message  to  Governor 
Dinwiddie,  asking  him  to  forward  at  once  a  sufficient 
quantity  of  artillery  and  ammunition,  while  he 
prepared  the  road  for  the  heavy  wagons  and  guns,  so 
that  there  might  be  no  delay  when  they  arrived.  The 
magnitude  of  the  work,  however,  was  such  that  not 
more  than  three  or  four  miles  a  day  was  accomplished, 
and  even  this  required  great  exertion.  He  left 
Will's  Creek  on  the  29th  of  April,  with  all  of  his 
troops,  except  a  snuiU  guard,  which  was  to  await  the 
arrival  of  Colonel  Fry,  and  the  next  diiy  overtook 
the  advance,  near  Ceorge's  Creek.  His  whole  force 
then  numbered  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  mm. 
With  these  he  arrived  at  Little  Meadows,  on  the 
Dth  of  May,  wiien  a  number  of  traders  came  in 
from  the  West,  on  their  return  to  the  settlements, 
having  been  warned  off  by  the  French.  These 
traders  informed  AVashington  that  the  French  were 
in  great  strenj^th  at  the  Forks,  where  they  were 
building  a  fort,  and  that  they  were  endeavoring  )jy 
the  free  distribution  of  gifts  to  win  the  Indians  to 
their  standard.  He  recognized  the  infeasibility  of 
Ufisaulting  Fort  Duquesne  with  his  little  force,  yet  he 
was  desirous  of  getting  as  near  as  possible  to  the 
French  post  without  provoking  an.  attack.  Shortly 
ufter  leaving  Will's  Creek  liis  store  of  provisions, 
clothing,  &c.,  had  been  discovered  to  be  well  nigh 
exhausted,  and   now  his   men    were  in   a  sufi'ering 


54 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1754. 


condition.  Notwithstanding  this  he  pushed  forward, 
and  with  a  detenniiiation  ahnost  iinconquera])le  in 
its  nature  he  overcame  every  obstacle,  and  on  the 
23d  of  May  took  up  a  position  at  Great  Meadows, 
where  he  made  an  entrenchment  and  cleared  the 
ground,  so  as  to  he  able  to  defend  himself  against 
surprise.  On  the  28th  he,  in  company  with 
Scarooyadi,  and  a  few  of  his  warriors,  who  had 
joined  him,  attacked  a  detachment  of  the  French, 
consisting  of  thirty-five  men,  under  M.  de  Jumonville, 
who  were  in  camp  not  far  distant,  and  killed  and 
captured  almost  the  entire  party.  Jumonville,  who 
was  a  gallant  and  esteemed  young  officer,  fell  at  the 
first  fire.  Only  one  of  the  party  escaped,  and  he 
proceeded  at  once  to  Fort  Duquesne,  where  he  gave 
intelligence  of  the  affair.  The  French  commander 
declared  this  act  to  be  no  less  than  murder, 
since  no  declaration  of  war  had  been  made;  and 
asserted  that  Jumonville  was  on  a  mission  as  a  civil 
messenger,  to  warn  the  English  not  to  trespass  on  the 
lands  of  the  French,  and  that  he  had  no  hostile 
intentions.  In  France  it  was  the  occasion  of  much 
comment,  and  the  government  made  the  most  of  it. 
If  Jumonville  was  acting  in  the  capacity  of  a  com- 
missioner, his  course  of  procedure  was  such  as  to 
at  least  subject  him  to  suspicion  as  an  enemy, 
with  a  hostile  object  in  view.  He  came  in  a 
secret  Avay,  inspected  Washington's  camp,  and  then 
retired  several  miles,  and  pitched  his  tent,  afterwards 
sending  a  courier  back  to  Fort  Duquesne,  with  all 
the  information  he  had  gathered.  The  papers  found 
on  the  person  of  Jumonville  were  of  such  a  nature  as 


*Mr.  Dinwiddij 


17.54.] 


WASHINGTON  S   JOURNAL. 


55 


to  indicate  th<at  the  exp  jclition  was  of  an  unfriendly 
cliaracter.  The  prisoners  were  soon  afterward  sent 
back  to  Winchester,  to  (governor  Dinwiddie. 

The  journal  of  Major  Washington,  which  was 
evidently  kept  with  great  accuracy,  will  doubtless 
prove  interesting  reading,  and  will  show  the  facts  of 
this  expedition  from  its  beginning  to  its  end.  This 
journal  was  for  many  years  lost  to  the  world,  but 
was  eventually  recovered,  and  gives  a  most  interesting 
liistor}'  of  the  important  facts  of  that  campaign.  It 
is  given  below  almost  entire,  only  those  parts  being 
omitted  which  contain  matter  of  no  special  interest: 
Washington's  journal,  1754. 

"On  the  31st  of  March  I  received  from  his  honor^ 
a  Lieutenant  Colonel's  commission,  of  the  Virginia 
regiment,  whereof  Joshua  Fry,  Esq.,  was  Colonel, 
dated  the  15th,  with  orders  to  take  the  troops  which 
were  at  that  time  at  Alexandria,  under  my  command, 
and  to  march  with  them  towards  the  Ohio,  there  to 
help  Captain  Trent  to  build  forts,  and  to  defend  the 
possessions  of  his  Majesty  against  the  attempts  and 
hostilities  of  the  French. 

"April  the  2d. — Everything  being  ready,  we  began 
our  march,  according  to  our  orders,  the  2d  of  April, 
with  two  companies  of  foot  commanded  by  Captain 
Peter  Hog,  and  Lieutenant  Jacob  Vanbraam,  five 
subalterns,  two  sergeants,  six  corporals,  one  drummer, 
and  one  hundred  and  twenty  soldiers,  one  surgeon, 
OHO  Swedish  gentleman,  who  wjis  a  volunteer,  two 
wagons,  guarded  by  one  Lieutenant,  sergeant,  corporal 
and  twenty-five  soldiers. 

•Mr.  Diawiddie,  Goveruor  of  Virginia. 


r)(» 


irrSTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1754.  ■  1754.] 


"We  left  Alexandria  on  Tuesday  noon,  and 
pitched  our  ten*:s  about  four  miles  from  Cameron, 
having  travelled  six  miles. 

[From  this  date  to  the  19th  of  the  same  month, 
the  journal  contains  nothing  more  than  a  monotonous 
detail  of  each  day's  march,  and  a  statement  that 
Captain  Stephens,  with  his  detachment,  had  joined 
the  command.] 

"The  19th. — Met  an  express,  who  had  letters 
from  Captain  Trent,  at  the  Ohio,  demanding  a 
reinforcement  with  all  speed,  as  he  hourl}-  expected 
a  body  of  eight  hundred  French.  I  tarried  at  Job 
Pearsall's  for  the  arrival  of  the  troops,  where  they 
came  the  next  day.  When  I  received  tlie  above 
express,  I  dispatched  a  courier  to  Colonel  Fry,  to 
give  him  notice  of  it. 

"The  20tli. — Came  down  to  Colonel  Cresap's,  to 
order  the  detachment  out,  and  on  my  route,  had 
notice  that  the  fort  was  taken  by  the  French.  That 
news  was  confirmed  by  Mr,  Wart,*  the  ensign  of 
Captain  Trent,  who  had  been  obliged  to  surrender 
to  a  body  of  one  thousand  French  and  upwards, 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Contrecoeur,  who 
was  come  from  Venango  (in  French,  the  peninsula) 
with  sixty  battoes  and  three  hundred  canoes,  and 
who,  having  planted  eighteen  pieces  of  cannon 
against  the  forts,  afterwards  had  sent  him  a 
summons  to  depart. 

"  Mr.  Wart  also  informed  me  that  the  Indians  kept 
steadfastly   attached   to   our  interest. 


He  brought 


♦Washington  has  evidently  misspelle*!  this  name,  as  the  person  alluded  to 
was,  beyond  doubt,  Ensign  Ward. 


1754.] 


WASHINGTON  S   JOURNAL. 


67 


two  young  Indian  men  with  him,  who  were  Mingoes, 
that  they  might  have  the  satisfaction  to  see  that  we 
were  marching  with  our  troops  to  their  succor. 

"He  also  delivered  me  the  following  speech,  which 
the  Half-King*  sent  to  me : 

"'B\)RT  Ohio,  April  18th,  1754. 
I'^'A  Speech  from  the  Half -King,  for  the  Governors   of  Virgivia  and 
Pennsylvania  : 
"  'My  brethren  the  English,  the  bearer  will  let  you  anderstand  in  what 
I  manner  the  French  have  treated  us.     We  waited  a  long  time,  thinking 
they  would  come  and  attack  us;  we  now  see  how  they  have  a  mind  to 
I  use  us. 

'"We  are  now  ready  to  fall  upon  them,  waiting  only  for  your  succor. 
i  Have  good  courage,  and  come  as  soon  as  possible  ;  you  will  find  us  as 
ready  to  encounter  with  them  as  you  are  yourselves. 

" '  We  have  sent  these  two  young  men  to  see  if  you  are  ready  to  come, 

land  if  so,  they  are  to  return  to  us,  to  let  us  know  where  you  are,  that  we 

may  come  and  join  you.     We  should  be  glad  if  the  troops  belonging  to 

the  two  provinces  could  meet  together  at  the  fort  which  is  on  the  way. 

If  you   do  not  come  to  our  assistance  now,  we  are  entirely  undone,  and 

[imagine  we  shall  never  meet  together  again.     I  speak  it  with  a  heart  full 

|of  grief.' 

"A  belt  of  wampum. 

"The  Half-King  directed  to  me  the  following  speech : 

'"I  am  ready,  if  you  think  it  proper,  to  go  to  both  the  Governors  with 
[these  two  young  men,  for  I  have  now  no  more  dependence  on  those  who 
[have  been  gone  so  long,  without  returning  or  sending  any  message.' 

"A  belt  of  wampum. 

"April  23d. — A  council  of  war  held  at  Will's 
ICreek,  in  order  to  consult  upon  what  must  be  done 
|on  account  of  the  news  broup-ht  bv  Mr.  Wart. 

"The  news  brought  by  Ensign  Wart,  having  been 
loxamined  into,  as  also  the  summons  sent  by  Captain 
jContrecoeur,  commander  of  the  French  troops,  and 
[the  speeches  of  the  Half-King,  and  of  the  other  chiefs 

*Tanacliarl98on  wan  the  Half-king  of  the  Six  Nations,  to  which  position  he  had  heen  chooen  by 
Ithe  voice  ot  liia  people.  He  waa  a  firm  friend  of  the  KnfzliHii,  and  a  tiiploniatiHt  )\h  weli  at^  a 
Iwarrior.  .^t  the  time  the  French  made  the  demand  upon  Ennign  Ward  to  surrender,  tlie  Half- 
iKiu)!  advised  him  to  reply  tliat  his  rank  was  not  of  tliat  importance  which  would  permit  him  to 
|reei>oiid,  and  to  aak  a  delay  unm  the  arrival  of  tht.  Commauder-iu-Chief. 

8 


^^BS7'-;  - 


58 


UISTORY  OK  CUMBERLAND. 


[1754.  ■  1754.] 


til' 


I     4 


of  the  Six  Nations;  it  appears  that  Mr.  Wart  was 
forced  to  surrender  the  said  fort,  the  17th  of  this 
instant,  to  the  French,  who  were  above  one  thousand 
strong,  and  had  eighteen  artillery  pieces,  some  of 
which  were  nine-pounders,*  and  also  that  the  detach- 
raent  of  the  Virginia  regiment,  amounting  to  one 
hundred  and  fifty  men,  commanded  by  Colonel 
Washington,  had  orders  to  reinforce  the  company  of  I 
Captain  Trent,  and  that  the  aforesaid  garrison 
consisted  only  of  thirty-tlnvo  effective  men. 

"It  was  thought  a  thing  impracticable  to  mai'cli 
towards  the  fort  without  sufficient  strength ;  however, 
being  strongly  invited  by  the  Indians,  and  particularly 
by  the  speeches  of  the  Half-King,  the  President  gave 
his  opinion  that  it  would  b(!  pr()])er  to  advance  as  far 
as  Redstone  CVeek,  on  Monongahela,  about  thirty- 
seven  miles  on  this  side  of  the  fort,  and  there  to  raise! 
a  fortification,  clearing  a  road  broad  enough  to  pa.«s 
with  all  our  artillery  and  our  baggage,  and  thereto] 
wait  for  fresh  orders. 

"The  opinion  aforesaid  was  resolved  upon  for  the  I 
following  reasons : 

"1st.  That   the  mouth  of  Red  Stcmc   is   the  first  | 
convenient  place  on  the  river  Monongahela. 

"2d.  That  stores  are  already  built  at  that  i)hice| 
for    the    provisions   of   the    company,    wherein    our 
ammunition  may  be  laid  up;  our  great  guns  may  he 
also    sent  by  water  whenever  we  should   think  it| 
convenient  to  attack  the  fort. 

"3d.   We    may    easily   (having    all    these    couvc-l 
niences)  preserve  our  people  from  the  ill  consequences 

*En.sigii  Ward  had  doubtless  exaggerated  the  streugth  of  the  French. 


■i^ 


1754.] 


WASIIINHTON  S   JOURNAL. 


59 


of  inrction,  and  encourage  our  Indian  allies  to  remain 
in  our  interests. 

Whereupon  I  sent  Mr.  Wart  to  the  Governor 
with  one  of  the  young  Indians  and  an  interpreter: 
I  thought  it  proper  to  acquaint  the  Governors 
of  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  of  the  news;  and 
I  sent  away  the  other  Indian  to  the  Half-King,  with 
the  speech  which  will  be  found  in  the  following 
letter  I  wrote  to  the  Governor  of  Maryland : 

"'Camp  at  Will's  Ckekk,  April  25,  1754. 
"'  To  His  Excellennj,  Horatio  Sharp,  Governor  of  Maryland: 

"  'Siu: — I  am  here  arrived  with  a  detachment  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty  men  :  We  daily  expect  Colonel  Fry  with  the  remaining  part  of  the 
regiment  and  the  artillery ;  however,  we  shall  march  j^ently  alon^  the 
nioiintiiins,  clearing  the  roads  as  we  go,  that  our  cannon  may  with  the 
I  jrreater  ease  be  sent  after  us ;  we  propose  to  go  as  far  as  the  Red  Stone 
River,  which  falls  into  Monongahela,  about  thirty-seven  miles  this  side  of 
the  fort  whicli  the  French  have  taken,  from  thence  all  our  heavy  luggage 
niay  be  carried  as  far  as  the  Ohio.  A  store  is  built  there  by  the  Ohio 
Company,  wherein  may  be  placed  our  ammunition  and  provisions. 

"'Besides  the  French  forces  above  mentioned,  we  have  reason  to 
Ibelievp,  according  to  the  accounts  we  have  heard,  that  another  party  is 
Icomiiig  to  the  Ohio;  we  have  also  learnt  that  six  hundred  of  the 
ICliippewais  and  Ottoways  Indians,  are  coming  down  the  river  Scioda,  in 
I  order  to  join  them.' 

"The  following  is  my  answer  to  the  speech  of  the 
Illalf-King: 

"'To  the  Half-King,  and  to  the  chiefs  and  warriors  of  the  Shawanese 
[iinil  Loups,  ou'  friends  and  breliiren.  I  received  your  speech  by  brother 
lliitlis,  who  came  to  us  with  the  two  young  men  six  days  after  their 
Idepiirture  from  you.  We  return  you  our  greatest  thanks,  and  our  hearts 
lare  fired  with  love  and  affection  towards  you,  in  gratitude  for  your 
Icoiislaut  attachment  to  us,  as  also  your  gracious  speech,  and  your  wise 
Icounsi'Is. 

"This  young  man  will  inform  you  where  he  found  a  small  part  of  our 
larmy,  making  towards  you,  clearing  the  roads  for  a  great  number  of  our 
jwarriors,  who  are  ready  to  follow  us,  with  our  great  guns,  our  ammunition 
land  provisions.  As  I  delight  in  letting  you  know  with  speed  the  thoughts 
our  hearts,  I    send  you  back    this  young    man.    with    this   speech,  to 


60 


HISTORY  OP   CUMnERLANI). 


[1754.  ■  1754.] 


ril^ 


acquaint  you  therewith,  Jind  the  other  young  man  I  have  sent  to  the 
Governor  of  Virginia,  to  deliver  him  your  speech  and  your  wampum,  and 
to  be  an  eye-witness  to  those  preparations  we  are  malting,  to  come  in  all 
haste  to  the  as.sistance  of  those  whose  interest  is  as  dear  to  uh  as  our 
lives.  We  know  the  character  of  the  treacherous  French,  and  our 
conduct  shall  plainly  show  you,  how  much  we  have  it  at  heart.  I  shull 
not  be  satisfied  if  I  do  not  see  you  before  all  our  forces  are  met  together 
at  the  fort  which  is  in  the  way  ;  wherefore,  I  desire,  with  the  greate.st 
earnestness,  that  you,  or  at  least  one  of  you,  would  come  as  soon  as 
possible,  to  meet  us  on  the  road,  and  to  assist  us  in  council.  I  present 
you  with  these  bunches  of  wampum,  to  assure  you  of  the  sincerity  of  my 
speech,  at  d  that  you  may  remember  how  much  I  am  your  friend  and 
brother.  (Signed.)  "  WA.smN(;TON 

or  CONOTOCARIOUS.* 

"April  28th. — Came  to  us  some  pieces  of  cannon, 
which  were  taken  up  to  the  month  of  Pattersons | 
river.f 

[From  the  29th  of  April,  the  date  of  leaving  Will's ! 
Creek,  to  the   11th   of  May,   the  journal    contains 
nothing  of  interest.] 

"May  the  11th. J — Detached  a  part^'  of  tAventy-fivc 
men,  commanded  by  Captain  Stephens  and  Ensign  I 
Peronie,  with  orders  to  go  to  Mr.  (Jist's,  to  enquire 
where   La  Force||  and  his  party  were;  and  in  case 
they  were  in  the  neighborhood,  to  cease  pursuing 
and  take  care  of  themselves.     I  also  ordered  them  I 
to  examine  closely  all  the  woods  round  about,  and. 
if  they  should  find  any  Frenchman  apart  from  the 
rest,  to  seize  him  and  bring  him  to  us,  that  we  might  | 
learn  what  we  could  from  him.     We  were  exceed- 
ingly desirous  to  know  if  there  was  any  possibility 
of  sending  down  anything  by  water,  as  also  to  find  I 

♦This  Beems  to  have  been  au  Indian  name  adopted  by  Washington  with  a  view  to  pleasiogthf  I 
ludianH.  I 

tThia  is  evidently  the  artillery  which  was  brought  up  the  Potomac  from  the  moutb  of| 
Patterson's  creek  on  boats,  or  raits. 

lAt  this  time  he  was  in  camp  not  far  beyond  Little  Meadows. 

|La  Force  was  a  French  officer,  whom  Washington  had  been  told  by  the  Indians  was  oui  | 
looking  up  deserters. 


■■A--^^:fi^m^U 


1754.] 


WASHINGTON  S  JOURNAL. 


()1 


out  some  convenient  place  about  the  mouth  of  Red 
Stone  Creek  where  he  could  ))uild  a  fort,  it  being 
my  design  to  salute  the  Half-King,  and  to  send  him 
back  under  a  small  guard ;  we  were  also  desirous  to 
enquire  what  were  the  views  of  the  French,  what 
tlioy  had  done,  and  what  they  intended  to  do,  and 
to  collect  everything  which  could  give  us  the  least 
intelligence. 

''The  12tli. — Marched  away,  and  went  (m  a  rising 
ground,  where  we  halted  to  dry  ourselves,  lor  we 
had  been  obliged  to  ford  a  deep  river,  where  our 
shortest  men  had  water  up  to  their  arm  pits. 

"There  came  an  express  to  us  with  letters, 
acquainting  us,  that  Colonel  Fry,  with  a  detachment 
of  one  hundred  men  and  upwards,  was  at  Winchester, 
and  was  to  set  out  in  a  few  days  to  join  us;  also  that 
Colonel  Innes  was  marching  witli  three  hundred 
and  fifty  men,  raised  in  Carolina;  that  it  was 
expected  Maryland  would  raise  two  hundred  men, 
and  that  Pennsylvania  had  raised  ten  thousand 
pounds  (equal  to  about  fifty-two  thousand  five 
hundred  livres)  to  pay  the  soldiers  raised  in  other 
colonies,  as  that  province  furnisheth  no  recruits,  as 
also  that  Governor  Shirley  had  sent  six  hundred 
men  to  harrass  the  French  in  Canada;  I  hope  that 
will  give  them  some  work  to  do,  and  will  slacken 
their  sending  so  many  men  to  the  Ohio  as  they  have 
done. 

"The  IGth. — Met  two  tradcis,  who  told  us  they 
had  fled  for  fear  of  the  French,  as  parties  of  them 
were  often  seen  towards  Mr.  Gist's.  These  traders 
are  of  opinion,  as  well  as  many  others,  that  it  is  not 


02 


HISTORY  OF  cumherland. 


poHsible  to  clear  a  road  for  any  (uirriage  to  go  (Voin 
hence  to  Red  Stone  Cre(»k. 

"The  17th.— This  night  Mr.  Wart  arrived  with 
the  young  Indian  from  WiHianiKl)iirg,  and  delivered 
me  a  letter,  wherein  the  Clovernor  is  so  good  as  to 
approve  of  my  proceedings,  but  is  much  (lis[)leasecl 
with  Captain  Trent,  and  has  ordered  him  to  be  tried, 
for  leaving  his  men  at  the  Ohio.  The  Governor 
also  informs  me  that  Captain  Mackey,  with  an 
independent  company  of  one  hundred  men,  excluding 
the  ofticers,  was  arrived,  and  that  we  might  expect 
them  daily,  and  that  the  men  from  New  York  would 
join  us  within  ten  days. 

"This  night  came  two  Indians  from  the  Ohio,  who 
left  the  French  fort  five  days  ago.  They  relate  that 
the  French  forces  are  all  emi)loyed  in  building  their 
fort,  that  it  is  already  breast  high,  and  the  thickness 
of  twelve  feet,  and  (illed  up  with  earth  and  stone, 
&c.  They  have  cut  down  and  burnt  up  all  the  trees 
which  were  a))out  it,  and  sown  grain  instead  thereof. 
The  Indians  Ijelieve  they  were  only  six  hundred  in 
number,  though  they  say  themselves  they  are  eight 
hundred.  They  expect  a  greater  number  in  a  few 
days;  which  may  amount  to  one  thousand  six 
hundred,  then  they  say  they  can  defy  the  English. 

"The  18th.* — The  waters  being  yet  very  high, 
hindered  me  from  advancinj?  on  account  of  mv 
baggage,  wherefore  I  determiniKl  to  set  myself  in  a 
posture  of  defense  against  any  immediate  attack 
from  the  enemy,  and  went  down  to  observe  the  river. 


*At  this  date  the  command   was  encamped   on  the   Youghiogheny,  near 
where  the  present  town  of  Smithfield,  Fayette  county,  Pa.,  stands. 


1754.] 


WASIlIN(JTON  S   JOURNAL. 


68 


[The  10th. — No  mention  of  anything  boyond  the 
(k's[)iit<*li  of  a  spcoch  to  the  Half-King  on  this  date.] 

''Tlio  20th. — Embarked  in  aeanoe  with  Lieutenant 
West,  three  soldiers,  and  one  Indian;  and  having 
followed  tlie  river  along  about  half  a  mile,  were 
ol)liged  to  come  ashore,  where  I  met  Peter  8u.vcr,  a 
trader,  who  neemed  to  discourage  me  from  seeking  a 
passage  by  water;  that  made  me  alter  my  mind  of 
causing  canoes  to  be  made;  I  ordered  my  people  to 
wade,  as  the  waters  were  shallow  enough;  and 
continued  myself  going  down  the  river  in  the  canoe; 
now  finding  that  our  canoe  was  too  small  for  0  men, 
we  stopped  to  make  some  sort  of  a  bark,  with  which, 
together  with  our  canoe,  wq  gained  Turkey  Foot  by 
the  beginning  of  the  night;  we  underwent  several 
(lifliculties  about  eight  or  ten  miles  from  thence, 
tiiough  of  no  great  consequence,  finding  the  waters 
sometimes  deep  enough  for  canoes  to  pass,  and  at 
other  times  more  shallow. 

[The  21st  to  the  23d  contains  only  a  general 
description  of  the  topography  of  the  country.] 

"The  24th. — This  morning  arrived  an  Indian  in 
company  with  him  I  sent  to  the  Half-King,  and 
brought  me  the  following  letter  from  him : 

"To  any  of  Hi  is  Majesty  officers  whom  this  may  concern  : 

"'As  tis  reported  that  the  French  army  ia  set  out  to  meet  Mr.  George 
Wa,sliinj,'ton,  I  exhort  you,  my  brethren,  to  guard  against  them  ;  for  they 
intcncl  to  fall  on  the  first  English  they  meet ;  they  have  been  on  their 
inarch  these  two  days  ;  the  Half-King  and  the  other  chiefs  will  join  you 
within  five  days,  to  hold  a  council,  though  we  know  not  the  number  we 
shall  be.  I  shall  say  na  more  ;  but  remember  me  to  my  brethren,  the 
English.  The  Hai.k-Kixo.' 

"I  examined  these  two  young  Indians  in  the  best 


^^^Agl^^lill, 


64 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLj».ND. 


manner  I  could,  concerning  every  circumstance,  but 
was  not  much  better  satisfied. 

"They  say  there  are  parties  of  them  often  out,  but 
they  do  not  know  of  any  considerable  number  of 
them  coming  this  way.  The  French  continue  raising 
their  fort,  that  part  next  to  the  land  is  very  well 
enclosed,  but  next  to  the  water  is  very  much 
neglected,  nine  pieces  of  cannon,  and  some  of  them 
very  small,  and  not  one  mounted.  There  are  two  on 
the  point,  and  the  other  at  some  distance  from  the 
fort  next  to  the  land. 

"They  relate  that  there  are  many  sick  among 
them,  that  they  cannot  find  any  Indians  to  guide 
their  small  parties  towards  our  camp,  these  Indians 
having  refused  them. 

"The  same  day,  at  two  o'clock  we  arrived  at  the 
Meadows,'^  where  we  saw  a  trader,  who  told  us  that 
he  came  this  morning  from  Mr.  Gist's,  where  he  had 
seen  two  Frenchmen  the  night  before ;  that  he  knew 
there  was  a  strong  detachment  out,  which  confirmed 
the  account  we  had  received  from  the  Half-King; 
wherefore,  I  placed  troops  behind  two  matured 
intrenchments,  where  our  wagons  also  entered. 

"The  25th. — Detached  a  party  to  go  along  the 
roads,  and  other  small  parties  to  the  woods,  to  see  if 
they  could  make  any  discovery.  I  gave  the  horsemen 
orders  to  examine  the  country  well,  and  endeavor  to 
get  some  ncv*  of  the  French,  of  their  forces  and  of 
their  motions,  &c. 

"At  night  all  these  parties  returned  without 
having  discovered  anything,  though  they  had  been  a 


*Great  Meadows. 


Kiv5fe^i^--iK''H-  ■'•^«*''S,yA>^'?^  \: 


1754.] 


WASHINGTON  S   JOURNAL. 


05 


"Toat  way  towards  the  place  from  whence  it  was  said 
the  party  was  corning. 

^'The  2Gth. — Arrived  William  Jenkins;  Colonel 
Frv  had  sent  him  with  a  letter  fnmi  Colonel  Fairfax, 
[which  informed  me  that  the  Governor  himself,  as 
[also  Colonels  Corbin  and  Lndwell,  were  arrived  at 
I  Winchester,  and  were  desirous  to  see  the  Half-King 
[tliere,  whereupon  [  sent  him  an  account  thereof. 

"The  27th. — Arrived  Mr.  (Jist  early  in  the  morn- 
ling,  \N  lio  told  us  that  M.  La  Force  with  hfty  men, 
Iwiiot^e  tracks  he  had  seen  five  miles  oft*,  had  Ijoen  at 
lliis  })lantation  the  day  before,  towards  noon;  and 
[would  have  killed  a  cow,  and  broken  everything  in 
jtlie  house,  if  two  Indians  whom  he  had  left  in  the 
lliouse,  had  not  persuaded  them  from  their  design; 
|l  immediately  detached  sixty-five  men,  under  com- 
mand of  Captain  Hog,  Lieutenant  Mercer,  Ensign 
*eronie,  three  sergeants,  and  three  corporals,  with 
instructions. 

"The   French  inquired   at   Mr.  (list's,  what  was 

become  of  the  Half-King?     1  did  not  fail  to  let  the 

^oung  Indians  who  were  in  our  camp  know  that  the 

Krench  wanted  to  kill  the  Half-King;  and  that  had 

Its  desired  eft'ect.     They  thereupon  offered  to  nccom- 

mny  our  peo])ie  to  go  after  the  French,  and  if  they 

I'ound  it  true  that  he  had  been  killed,  or  even  insulted 

jy  them,  one    of  them  would  presently  carry  the 

lews  thereof  to  the  Mingoes,  in  order  to  incite  their 

i\arriors  to  fall  upon  them.     One  of  these  young  men 

V;is  detached  towards  Mr.  Gist's;  that  if  he  should 

Jut   liud   the    Half-King   there,    he   was  to  send  a 
icssage  by  a  Delaware. 
• 


66 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1754. 


"  About  eight  at  night  received  a  message  from  the 
Half-King,  which  informed  me  that  as  he  was  cominc 
to  join  us,  he  had  seen  along  the  road,  the  tracts  of  I 
tw^o  men  which  he  had  followed  till  he  was  brought 
thereby    to   a   low   obscure   place;  that   he   was  of 
opinion  the  whole  party  of  French  was  hidden  there; 
that  very  moment  I  sent  out  forty  men,  and  ordered 
my  ammunition  to  be  put  in  a  place  of  safety,  under 
a   strong   guard   to  defend  it;    fearing   it  to   be 
stratagem  of  the   French  to  attack  our  camp,   and] 
with  the  rest  of  my  men,  set  out  in  a  heavy  rain, 
and  in  a  night  as  dark  as  pitch,  along  a  path  scarce 
broad  enough  for  one  man;  we  were  some  fifteen  or 
twenty  minutes  out  of  the  path  before  we  could  come| 
to  it  again;  and  so  dark  that  we  would  often  strike 
one  against  another.     All  night  long  we  continued. I 
our  route,  and  the  28th,  about  sunrise,  we  arrived  at 
the  Indian  camp,  where,  after  having  held  a  council| 
with  the  Half-King,  it  was  concluded  we  should  fall 
on  them   together;    so   we   sent  out   two    men    tii 
discover  where  they  w  ^re,  as  also  their  posture,  anil 
what  sort  of  ground  was  thereabout;  after  which  ve 
formed  ourselves  for  an  engagement,  marching  one 
after  the  other  in  the   Indian   manner.     We   wenl 
advanced  pretty  near  to  them,  as  we  thought,  wlienl 
they  discovered  us;  whereupon  I  ordered  my  companv 
to  fire;  mine  was  supported  by  that  of  Mr.  WagnerV.*! 
and  my  company  and  his  received  the  whole  fire  of  tin 
French,  during  the  greatest  part  of  the  action,  whidi 
only  lasted  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  before  the  enemy  Avasj 


i^Thotnas  Waggeuer,  at  this  time  a  Lieutenant,  but  afterwards  Captain  «'| 
Virginia  troops.  ' 


1754.] 


WASHINGTON  S   JOUKNAL. 


07 


routed.  We  killed  M.  de  Jumonville,  the  commander 
of  that  party,  as  also  nine  others;  we  wounded  one, 
and  made  twenty-one  prisoners,  among  w  Ik  mi  were  M. 
La  Force,  M.  Drouillon,  and  two  cadets.  The  Indians 
scalped  the  dead,  and  tocjk  away  the  most  part  of  their 
anus,  after  which  we  marched  on  with  the  prisoners 
an<l  the  guard,  to  the  Indian  camp,  where  again  I 
held  a  council  with  the  Half-King;  and  there  informed 
him  that  the  Governor  was  desirous  to  see  him,  and 
Avas  waiting  for  him  at  Winchester;  he  answered  that 
he  could  not  go  just  then,  as  his  people  were  in  too 
iiiiiiiinent  a  danger  from  the  French,  whom  they  had 
fallen  upon;  that  he  must  send  messengers  to  all  the 
allied  nations,  in  order  to  invite  them  to  take  up  the 
hatchet.  He  sent  a  young  Delaware  Indian  to  the 
Delaware  nation,  and  gave  him  also  a  French  scalp 
to  carry  to  them.  This  young  man  desired  to  have 
a  part  of  the  presents  which  were  allotted  for  them, 
but  that  the  remaining  part  might  he  kept  for 
another  opportunity.  He  said  he  would  go  to  his 
own  family  and  to  several  others,  and  would  wait  on 
them  at  Mr.  Gist's,  where  he  desired  men  and  horses 
!>liould  be  sent  ready  to  bring  them  up  to  our  camp. 
After  this  1  marched  on  with  the  prisoners;  they 
infoi-nied  me  that  they  had  been  sent  with  a  sunnnona 
to  order  me  to  depart.  A  plausible  pretence  to 
discover  our  camp,  and  to  obtain  the  knowledge  of 
our  forces  and  our  situation!  It  was  so  clear  that 
tliev  were  come  to  reconnoitre  what  we  were,  that  I 
admired  at  their  assurance,  when  they  told  me  they 
were  come  as  an  embassy;  for  their  instructions 
mentioned   that   they  should   get   what   knowledge 


68 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


they  could  of  the  roads,  rivers,  and  of  all  the  country 
as  far  as    Potomac;*   and   instead   of  coming  as  an 
Embassador,  publicly,  and  in  an  open  manner,  they 
caine   secretly,  and   sought   after   the   most   hidden 
retreats,  more  like  deserters   than  embassadors;    in 
such  retreats,  they  encamped,  and  remained  hid  for 
whole  days  together,  and  that  no   more  than  five 
miles   from   us;   from    whence    they    sent   spies   to 
reconnoitre  our  camp;  after  this  was  done  they  went 
back   two   miles,    from  whence   they  sent  the   two] 
messengers  spoken  of  in  the  instruction,  to  acquaint 
M.  de  Contrecoeur  of  the  place  we  were  at,  and  of  our  I 
disposition,  that  he  might  send  his  detachments  to  | 
enforce  the  summons  as  soon  as  it  should  be  given. 

"Besides,  an  ambassador  has  princely  attendants; 
whereas  this  was  only  a  simple  petty  French  officer; 
an  embassador  has  no  need  of  spies,  his  character 
being  always  sacred;  and  seeing  their  intention  was 
so  good,  why  did  they  tarry  two  days  at  live  miles 
distance  from  us,  without  acquainting  me  with  the 
summons,  or,  at  least,  with  something  that  related  to 
the  embassy?  That  alone  would  be  sufficient  to 
raise  the  greatest  suspicions,  and  we  ought  to  do  them 
the  justice  to  say,  that,  as  they  wanted  to  hide 
themselves,  they  could  not  pick  out  better  places 
than  they  had  done. 

"The  summons  was  so  insolent,  and  favored  the 
jj.isconade  so  much,  that  if  it  had  been  brought  openly 
by  two  men,  it  would  have  been  an  immediate 
indulgence  to  have  suffered  them  to  return, 

*Oii  the  body  of  M.  de  Juraonville  were  found  written  Instructions  to  this 
effect. 


1754.] 


WASHINGTON  S   JOURNAL. 


69 


''It  was  the  opinion  of  the  Half-Kinj];  in  this  case 
that  their  intentions  were  evil,  and  that  it  was  a 
pure  pretence;  that  they  never  intended  to  come  to 
us  hut  as  enemies;  and  if  we  had  been  such  fools  as 
to  let  them  go,  they  would  never  help  ua  any  more 
to  take  other  Frenchmen. 

"They  say  they  called  to  us  as  soon  as  they  had 
dii^covered  us,  which  is  an  absolute  falsehood,  for  I 
was  then  marching  at  the  head  of  the  company  going 
towards  them,  and  can  positively  affirm,  that,  when 
they  first  saw  us,  they  ran  to  their  arms,  without 
calling;  as  I  must  have  heard  them  had  they  done 
so.* 

"The  29th. — Dispatched  Ensign  Latour  to  the 
Half-King,  with  about  tw^entj  live  men,  and  almost 
as  many  horses;  and  as  I  expected  some  French 
parties  would  continuallj'  follow  that  which  we  had 
defeated,  I  sent  an  express  to  Colonel  Fry,  for  a 
reinforcement. 

"After  this  the  French  prisoners  desired  to  speak 
with  me,  and  asked  me  in  wdmt  manner  I  looked 
upon  them,  w'hether  as  the  attendants  of  an  Embas- 
sador, or  as  prisoners  of  war;  I  answered  them  that 
it  was  in  quality  of  the  latter,  and  gave  them  my 
reasons  for  it,  as  above. 

*Fn)rii  (lie  jmiiis  wliioh  Washington  lins  taken  to  justify  this  nttaek,  on  the 
p!i[;es(iriiis  journal,  it  luustbecoiutluiled  that  he  antioipatfd  a  seven- criticism  of 
tiis  action  wlien  the  facts  shouhl  heconie  known  in  Li)i;lan(l  anl  France,  He 
<i(iul)tless  felt  that  there  was  at  least  a  possibility  (hat  de  Jnnioiiville  was  on 
an  errand  which  did  not  anticipate  bloodshed,  and  that  the  French  would  do 
all  in  their  power  toconvince  the  world  that  his  death  was  an  "assassination," 
and  lia<l  been  etf'eeted  throuifh  the  positive  orders  of  the  Jkitish  ministry  to 
the  ettect  that  WashinKtoti's  command  should  attack  the  Frenclt  wherever 
thev  were  found,  notwithstanding  there  had  been  no  declaration  of  war.  The 
diiidid  reader  of  the  history  ot  this  atlair  can  hardly  resist  the  conclusion 
lliat  the  French  have  the  best  of  the  argument,  and  that  the  death  of  de 
Juiiionville  and  nine  of  his  followers,  was  uu  unfortunate  blunder. 


trtn'iiia»Mi'»'™»»-^  -  ■  ■■■»a.^^-~i-«t.^.»«ig^''^"» 


70 


HISTORY  OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1754. 


"The  30th.— Detached  Liouteiiunt  West,  and  Mr. 
8pindorph,  to  take  the  prisonern  to  Winchester,  with 
a  guard  of  twenty  men.  Began  to  raise  a  fort  with 
small  pallisadoes,  fearing  that  when  the  French 
should  hear  the  news  of  that  defeat,  we  might  be 
attacked  bj  considerable  forces. 

"June  the  1st. — Arrived  here  an  Indian  trader 
with  the  Half-King;  they  said  that  when  M.  de 
Jumonville  was  sent  here,  another  party  had  been 
detached  towards  the  lower  part  of  the  river,  in  order 
to  take  and  kill  all  the  English  they  should  meet.''' 

"We  are  finishing  our  fort. 

"Towiirds  night  arrived  Ensigii  To^vers,  with  the 
Half-King,  Queen  Alquipaf  and  about  twenty-five  or 
thirty  families,  making  in  all  about  eighty  or  one 
hundred  persons,  including  women  and  children. 
The  old  King  being  invited  to  come  into  our  tents, 
told  me  that  he  had  sent  Monakatoocha  to  Log's  town, 
with  Avampum  and  four  French  scalps,  which  were 
to  be  sent  to  the  Six  Nations,  Wiandots,  &c.,  to 
inform  them  that  they  had  fallen  upon  the  French 
and  to  demand  their  assistance.  He  also  told  me 
that  he  had  something  to  say  to  the  council,  but 
would  stay  till  the  arrival  of  the  Shawanese,  whom 
we  expected  next  morning. 

"The  2d. — Arrived  two  or  three  of  the  families  ot  I 
the  Shawanese;  we  had  prayers  in  the  fort. 

"Theod. — The  Half-King  assembled  the  council,  and 
informed  me  that  he  had  received  a  speech  fromGrand- 
Chaudiere,  in  answer  to  the  one  he  had  sent  him. 


*This  was  undoubtedly  a  fulsehood  ou  the  part  of  the  traders. 

fAu  Indian  squaw,  whom  the  English  had  given  the  title  of"  Queen." 


1754.] 


WASHINGTON  S   JOURNAL. 


71 


"The  5th. — Arrived  an  Iiuliaii  from  the  Ohio,  who 
Imd  lately  been  at  the  Fi-ench  ibrt;  this  Indian 
oonfinns  the  news  of  two  trader.s  being  taken  by  the 
French,  and  sent  to  Canada;  he  saith  they  have  set 
up  their  pallisadoes,  and  enclosed  their  fort  with 
exceeding  largi>  tixjcs. 

"There  are  eight  Indian  traders  on  this  side  the 
river,  coming  to  join  ns.  lie  met  a  French  man  who 
had  made  his  escape  in  the  time  of  M.  de  Jnm(mville's 
action;  he  was  without  either  shoes  or  stockings,  and 
.scarce  able  to  walk;  however,  he  let  him  pass,  not 
knowing  we  had  fallen  upon  them. 

"The  6th. — Mr.  Gist  is  returned,  and  acquaints 
me  of  the  safe  arrival  of  the  prisoners  at  Winchester, 
and  of  the  death  of  poor  Colonel  Fry.'^' 

"It  gave  the  Governor  great  satisfaction  to  see  the 
French  prisoners  safely  arrived  at  Winchester. 

"I  am  also  inl'ormed  that  M.  Montovu'f  is  coming 
with  a  commission  to  command  two  hundred  Indians. 

"Mr.  Gist  met  a  French  deserter,  who  assured 
him  that  they  were  only  five  hundred  men  when 
they  took  Mr.  Warts  fort,  that  they  were  now  less, 
having  sent  fifteen  men  to  Canada,  to  acquaint  the 


*C()loii('l  Josliiia  Fry  was  the  officer  in  command  of  the  entire  ex))e<lition,and 
was  on  his  way  to  join  Wasiiint'ton  with  a  force  ot'  ahont  one  luiiulred  and  fifty 
men.  While  on  the  road  to  Will's  t'reek  his  liorse  stunihled  and  threw  hirii 
tn  the  ifround  with  great  force,  whereby  he  sM>taincd  fatal  injuries,  'J'he 
Wdundeil  officer  was  conveyed  as  tenderly  as  jxis.sihlc  to  Will's  Creek,  where  he 
w«s  made  as  comfortable  as  his  coii<iition  would  permit.  Dr.  James  Craik,  the 
siirp'on  of  the  regimciii,  a  Scotchman  l)y  l)irt!i,  was  with  him,  and  atteniled 
liiin  faithfally,  but  al!  to  no  iiurpose,  and  on  the  lUst  of  May,  only  a  few  days 
after  the  accident,  Colonel  Fry  died,  ami  his  remains  were  buried  <in  the  side 
i)f  the  hill.  In  the  dispute  as  to  the  boundary  line  between  Maryland  and 
Virjiinia,  in  1745,  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  commissioners  on  tlie  part  of 
the  crown  to  fix  the  lines,  his  associates  l)eing  Colonel  Lunsford  J>omax  and 
.Major  Peter  Hedtjemaii.  The  di-aih  of  Colonel  Fry  left  Washington  in  full 
cnnnnand,  and  the  force  at  Will's  Creek  inarched  forward  to  Great  Meadows 
at  once. 

tMoiitour  was  a  Frenchmuu  who  had  deserted  and  joined  the  English. 


-,  ii  'T.-^rhiagffrt 


72 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1754.  ■  1754.] 


Governor  of  their  success;  that  there  were  yet  two 
liuntlred  .soldiers  who  only  waited  for  a  favorable 
opi)ortunity  to  come  and  join  us. 

"The  9th. — Arrived  the  last  body  oi  the  Virginia 
Regiment,  under  the  connnand  of  Colonel  Must/-' 
and  we  learnt  that  the  independent  company  of 
Carolina  was  arrived  at  Will's  Creek. 

"The  10th. — I  received  the  regiment,  and  at  night 
had  notice  that  some  French  were  advancing  towards 
us;  whereupon  I  sent  a  party  of  Indians  upon  the 
scout  towards  Gist's,  in  order  to  discover  them,  and 
to  know  their  number.  Just  Inifore  night  we  had  an 
alarm,  but  it  proved  false." 

The  journal  recites  that  on  the  12th  nine  deserters 
came  in  and  stated  that  one  hundred  more  were 
desirous  of  coming;  that  Fort  Duquesne  was  completed 
.and  supplied  with  eight  small  cannon;  also  that  the 
Delawares  and  Shawanese  had  taken  up  tlie  liatchet 
against  the  English.  Washington  then  sent  messen- 
gers and  wampum  to  these  two  Nations  asking  them 
to  come  to  a  council  at  Mr.  Gist's,  hoping  to  win 
them  over.  From  the  13th  to  the  18th  nothing  of 
interest  is  recorded.  On  the  latter  date  a  party  of 
eight  Mingoes  came  into  camp,  and  said  they  had  a 
commission,  and  wanted  a  council  at  once.  The 
Half-King  was  sent  for,  and  a  council  was  held,  there 
being  present  some  forty  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations, 
Loups  and  Shawanese.  This  council  lasted  several 
days,  and  the  Indians  after  great  professions  of 
friendship  took  their  departure.     Washington  then 

*Tliis  should  be  Muse,  that  officer  having  taken  charge  of  the  troops  at 
Will's  Cr»'e!'.  OH  the  death  of  Colonel  Fry,  on  the  .'tlst  oi  May,  and  brought 
theiu  to  Washiuijtou. 


pursued 

expoctet 

nil  in  her 

Washi: 

Meadows 

! because 

scantiness 

His   lore 

hundred 

com  pan; 

Captain  IV 

seemed  lil 

since  he  cl 

nink  above 

I  and  would 

While  this 

lie  was  coil 

had  referre 

which  he  h 

Captain  Mt 

Fort  Neces! 

and  while  i 

had  receive 

tliat  they  p 

to  attack  tli 

On  recei^ 

back  for  Ca 

A  council 

determined 

oppressive, 

nien  were  ai 

and  jaded; 
10 


1754.] 


FORT   NECESSITY, 


73 


pursued  his  way  to  tlio  mouth  of  Rodstoiio.  where  he 
expected  to  be  joined  by  Moiiticatootha,  and  a 
number  of  other  Indian  warriors. 

Washington  had  already  made  the  fort  at  Great 
Meadows  as  strong  as  circumstances  would  allow,  and 
because  of  the  exigencies  of  his  fortunes  and  the 
scautiness  of  his  supplies, he  called  it  "Fort Necessity." 
His  force  had  now  been  increased  to  about  four 
hundred  men,  by  the  arrival  of  Captain  Mackaye's 
company  of  independent  South  Carolinians;  but 
Captain  Mackaye  held  a  King's  commission,  and  he 
.seemed  likely  to  do  about  as  much  harm  as  good, 
since  he  claimed  that  bis  royal  commission  gave  him 
•■ank  above  that  of  any  and  every  provincial  ofhcer, 
and  would  not  acknowledge  Washington's  authority. 
While  this  position  was  maintained  by  the  Captain 
he  was  courteously  friendly  with  Washington,  who 
had  referred  the  matter  to  Governor  Dinwiddle,  after 
which  he  had  marched  for  Redstone  Creek,  leaving 
Captain  Mackaye,  with  his  company,  in  command  of 
Fort  Necessity.  Before  reaching  Redstone,  however, 
and  while  near  Gist's,  it  was  learned  that  the  French 
bad  received  reinforcements  at  Fort  Du(j[uesne,  and 
that  they  purposed  to  send  out  a  heavy  force  at  once 
to  attack  the  English. 

On  receiving   this    intelligence,  Washington   sent 

back  for  Captain  Mackaye,  who  at  once  joined  him. 

A  council    of  war    was    held,    and   a    retreat    was 

determined    upon.     The    weather    was    sultry  and 

oppressive,  the  roads  were  rugged  and  broken,  the 

men  were  worn  and  hungry,  the  horses  broken  down 

and  jaded;  yet,  despite  all,  the   march  to  the  rear 
10 


74 


IIISTOIIY  OF  CUMBEULAND. 


[1754. 


was  Ix'giiu,  and,  vvhilo  the  CaroliniaiiH  refiiHcd  to] 
perform  any  labor,  Wasliington's  forces  dragged  the 
artillery  and  wagons,  and  bore  heavy  loads  of  baggage 
on  their  shoulders,  toiling  on  laboriously  day  after 
day,  until  on  the  1st  of  July  they  arrived  at  Fort 
Necessity.  It  had  not  Ix'en  contemplated  that  a 
halt  should  Ixi  made  iiere,  l)ut,  the  Virginians 
declared  they  would  dnig  the  artillery  and  carry  the 
baggage  no  further.  Washington  was  connxilled  to 
do  the  be«t  he  could,  therefore,  and  he  at  once  set] 
about  making  the  fort  still  more  ca])able  of  defense, 
lie  found  but  few  provisions  there,  and  fully  believing! 
that  more  troops  were  at  Will's  Creek,  he  sent  several 
expresses  back  to  that  point,  with  instructions  that 
all  Holdiei'^s  there  should  at  once  join  him,  and  that  a 
full  supply  of  provisions  should  be  hurried  forward 
to  him  at  once. 

The  retreat  from  Gist'i-  was  not  made  any  tfX)  soon. I 
for  a  short  time  after  Captain  de  Villiers,  a  brother- 
in-law  of  de  Jumonville,  burning  to  revenge  the  death! 
of  that   oihcer,    had   come    up,   with    at   least   fivt 
hundred  French  from  Fort  Duquesne,  and  made  an 
attack  upon  Gist's  place.     Finding  it  was  deserted, 
he  concluded  that  his  enemies  had  lied  to  the  settle- 
ments, and  was  about  to  return  to  the  fort,  when  a  I 
deserter  arrived,  who  told  him  that  Washington  wm 
in  camp  at  Fort  Necessity,  and  could  get  no  farther, 
as  his  men  were   in  a  starving  condition.     Ilearind 
this,  de  Villiers  determined  to  push  on  to  the  Great  | 
Meadows  at  once. 

From  Sparks'  ''Writings  of  Washington,"  is  taken] 
the  following: 


imefi«ui 


1754.] 


FORT   NECESSITY. 


75 


"Fort  Nccoaaity  was  situate  in  a  level  meadow, 
about  two  liuudred  and  fifty  yards  broad  and  covered 
witb  long  grasM  and  low  buslies.  The  foot  of  the 
nearest  hills  came  within  one  hundred  yards  of  the 
fort,   and   at   one    ]»laee    within   sixty  yards.     The 

Lspaoe  between  the  fort  and  the  hills  was  open  and 
.smooth,  the  bushes  having  been  cleared  away.     The 

[fort  itself  was  an  irregular  square,  each  side 
mop'^ui  thirty-five  yards,  with  a  trench  partly 
f  01    two  sides.     The  entrances  weix)  guarded 

I  by  three  bastions. 

"On   the    3d   of  July,  early  in  the  morning,  an 

I  alarm  was  received  from  a  sentinel,  who  had  been 
wounded  by  the  enemy,  and  at  nine  o'clock  intelli- 
gence came,  that  the  whole  body  of  the  enemy, 
amounting,  a.s  w^as  reported,  to  nine  hundred  men, 
was  only  four  miles  off.  At  eleven  o'clock  they 
approached  the  fort,  and  began  to  fire,  at  the  distance 
of  six  hundred  yards,  but  without  effect.     Colonel 

I  Washington  had  drawn  up  his  men  on  the  open  and 
level  ground  outside  the  trenches,  waiting  for  the 
attack,  which  he  presumed  Avould  be  made  as  soon 
as  the  enemy's  forces  emerged  from  the  woods;  and 
he  ordered  his  men  to  reserve  their  fire,  till  they 
should  be  near  enough  to  do  execution.  The  distant 
firing  was  supposed  to  be  a  stratagem  to  draw 
Washington's  men  into  the  w^oods,  and  thus  to  take 
then;  at  a  disadvantage.  He  suspected  the  design, 
and  maintained  his  post  till  he  found  the  French  did 

hot  incline  to  leave  the  woods,  and  attack  the  fort 
by  an  assault,  as  he  supposed  they  w^ould,  considering 
their  superiority  of  numbers.     He  then    drew   his 


mrw^m 


76 


rrrsTORY  of  Cumberland. 


[1754. 


I 


mon  buck  within  tlio  trendies,  and  jj^ave  them  orders | 
to   (ire    aecordin/j^    to    their   discretion,    jus     suitaMe 
opportiniitieH  nii<i;ht  present  themselves.     Tl.u;  French  I 
and    Indians   remained   on    tlie   side    of  thv')    rmwA 
ground,  wliich  was  nearest  to  the  fort,  and,  sheltered 
])y  the  trees,  kept  up  a  brisk  lire  of  musketry,  but 
never  appeared  in  the  open  plain  below.     The  rain  fell 
heavily  through  the  day,  the  trenches  were  filled  with 
water,  and  many  of  the  arms  of  Colonel  Washington's 
men  were  out  of  order  joid  used  with  dillicnlty. 

"In  this   way   the  battle  continued   from   eleven] 
o'clock  in  the  morning  until  eight  at  night,  when  the 
French  called  and  requested  a  parley.     Suspecting  I 
this  to  be  a  feint  to  procure   the    admission  of  an 
ollicer  into  the  fort,   that  he  might  discover  their 
condition.    Colonel     Washington    at    first    declined 
listening  to   the    proj)osal,  but   when    the    call    wiis| 
re])eated,  with  the  additional   recpiest  that  an  oflioir 
might  be  sent  to  them,  engaging  at  the  same  time 
their   parole    for    his    safety,    he    sent   out    Captiiiii 
Vanbraam,  the  only  person  under  his  cxmmiand  that 
could    speak     French,    except     the     Chevalier    dc 
Peyrouney,  an  ensign  in  the  Virginia  regiment,  who 
was  dangerously  wounded,  and  disabled  from  render- 
ing any  service  on  this  occasion.     Vanbraam  returned  I 
and    ])rought   with    him    from    M.    de   Villiers,  the 
French  commander,  proposed  articles  of  capitulation. 
These  he  read  and  pretended  to  interpret,  and,  some 
changes  having  been  made  by  mutual  agreement,] 
both  parties  signed  them  about  midnight." 

The  articles  subscribed  to  were  written  in  French. 
and  were  as  follows: 


From  D.  Shriver  8te 


Jinti  A.J.  y.it  tr./hrt.Us  JI.C .  S  J9  '^X.  10  f  CA.  3  10  m.  6  TertAtt.  JiuTu-AiHs  -the 

Iintj  PJB  .y.  (>■  ttmtnt'n-  t'n  ill  aiat*eSOj>erflirt  ff/  Xtutti  . 

Jijk.  itni.  aiou^  TtJttoti  fi-tm^t/ia  I'trt  lutd  a  Itnj  »k*ch-  the  JVtUt'tt-ttZ-  Jtrtti, 

jui*  fJJS/attet- 

iifiejj^.1'6  at  ta^A  J)*ck  U  admit  Wa/Hr  tut*  the  T*rt. 


t 


J.« 


Thu  M  a  nuf  Sy  mkieh  tArJreittA  If 
/nJititi  nuufe  eAetr  tppta^mnee.and. 
cMmtncti  ftrtng  at  «lt«  Tmrt  ithdi  at 
ntar  100  itdt  dutanea . 


I  <««/<•  a^ 


A  St^%lan^emTed->*iik.a,iltitee srtrcttii^  PaJk. 
TimSer,  mAere  ^e  Indian  tttcTt^  sheZttr  and imtuiML 
■the  trttt  to  fin  inu_  the  Jirt-  at  30  U  SOJladf. 


€■•  f  i'  t 


f|4%%*i-£t 


2  feet  ieilnftAe  ZfPelZaTttL.JtirasliieiL-ettvereiCM'iti^liu.iXee  tie .  tufutTitiv  tSSS  cletj-ed 
vfatiil uUtT*a,e*/l  as a,-mfddtw.  It  wiis  toMLHat-  t/ie  emtetMTiineiUi  ATI C ■  -n-ad*  ij>  si^lUit^ 
fukeU  or/Kitt,  im^*  tie.ffrfitrtd'  anil  tHrc^vitig  vp  earik'  om  itA-  tide*  of  it  • 


From  I).  Sliriver  Stewart. 


FORT  NECESSITY. 

SURVEV  MADE  BY  FREEMAN  LEWIS,  1816. 


17o4.] 

Capitula 
'•onni] 


As  oui 
peace  aiv 
Princes  i 
tion  conn 
summon, 
o.stahlishi 
Kin.u',  my 
willing  tc 
the  said  t 


We  gra 
with  all  1 
his  own  ci 

any  insiilt 
!i.s  shall  bi 

It  shall 
him  all  tli 
which  we 

That  wt 
they  marc] 
gun,  being 
treat  them 


That  as 
parties,  tlu 


BBS 


smi 


B«m-T«««IBBB^B«». 


17o4.] 


ARTICLES  OF    CAPITULATION. 


77 


Capitulation  granted  by  M.  de  \Mlliei\s,  Captain  and 
-'ommander  of  Ilis  Majesty's  troops,  to  those 
English  troops  aetually  in  For^.  Necessity : 

July  the  3d,  1754,  at  8  6 dock  at  night. 
As  our  intentions  have  never  been  to  trouble  the 
peace  and  good  harmony  subsisting  1)etween  the  two 
Princes  in  amity,  but  only  to  revenge  tlie  assassina- 
tion committed  on  one  of  our  officers,  bearer  of  a 
sunnnon,  as  also  on  his  escort,  and  to  hinder  any 
establishment  (m  the  lands  of  the  dominions  of  the 
King,  my  master;  upon  these  considerations,  we  are 
Avillimr  to  show  favor  to  all  the  English  who  are  in 
the  said  fort,  on  the  following  conditions. 

Article  I. 
^ye  grant  leave  to  the  English  commander  to  retire 
with  all  his  garrison,  and  to  return  peaceably  into 
his  own  country;  and  ])romise  to  hinder  his  receiving 
any  insult  from  us  Frencli;  and  to  restiain,  as  much 
as  shall  be  in  our  power,  the  Indians  that  are  with  us. 

Art.  II. 
It  shall  be  permitted  him  to  go  out,  an>l  carry  with 
liiiii  all  that  belongs  to  them,  except  tlie   artillery, 
which  we  reserve. 

Art.  III. 

That  we  will  allow  them  the  honors  of  war,  that 
they  march  out  with  drums  beating,  and  one  swivel 
gun,  being  willing  thereby  to  convince  them,  that  we 
treat  them  as  friends. 

Art.  IV. 

That  as  soon  as  the  articles  are  slgn«'d  by  both 
parties,  the  English  colors  shall  be  struck. 


78 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1754.  ■  175-1.] 


fm 


Art.  V, 

That  to-morrow,  at  break  of  day,  a  detachment  of 
French  shall  go  and  make  the  garrison  file  off,  and 
take  possession  of  the  fort. 

Art.  VI. 

As  the  English  have  but  few  oxen  or  horses  left, 
they  are  at  liljerty  to  hide  their  effects,  and  to  come 
again  and  search  for  them,  when  they  have  a  number 
of  horses  sufficient  to  carry  them  off,  and  that  for 
this  end  they  may  have  what  guards  they  please;  on 
condition  that  they  give  their  word  of  honor,  to  work 
no  more  on  any  buildings  in  this  place,  or  any  part 
on  this  side  of  the  mountains. 

Art.  VIT 

And  as  the  English  ha\«.'  in  their  power,  one 
officer,  two  cadets,  and  most  of  the  prisoners  made  at 
their  assassination  of  M.  de  Jumonville,  and  promise 
to  send  them  back,  with  a  safeguard  to  Fort 
Duquesno,  situate  on  the  Ohio;  for  surety  of  their 
performing  this  article  as  well  as  this  treaty,  M. 
Jncob  Yanbraam  and  Robert  Stobo,  both  Captains, 
shall  be  delivered  to  us  as  hostages,  till  the  arrival  of 
our  French  and  Canadians  above  mentioned.  We 
oblige  ourselves  on  our  side,  to  give  an  escorte  to 
return  these  two  officers  in  sjifety;  and  expect  to 
have  our  French  in  two  months  and  a  half  at  furthest, 

A  duplicate  of  this  being  fixed  upon  one  of  the 
postS  of  our  blockade,  tV<  day  and  year  above 
mentioned. 

James  Mack  aye. 
Signed,  Messrs.  \  G.  Washington, 

COULON   ViLLIERS. 


Tliese 
purport   c 
Vanliraair 
but  little 
•scholar, 
sibk',  on  t 
interpivta 
in  con seep 
Wiis  given 
thus  ^ya.sh 
I  made    hiir 
"  assassin  a't 
afterwards 
dcnination 
authors    ha 
I  deceived  lii 
wilfully;    b 
[probability 
carelessness 
I  more  than  t 
Macka^e  w 
I  stating  tliaj 
[delphia,  an( 
lour  capituhi 
I  mentioned  J 
that  they   i 
contrary  to 
signed  them 
I  brother-in-la 
I  based  upon  i 
told  him  cc 
who  Iiad  eill 


k-am^AA^  -:<iai.iS'J  j'<[!&mi.^.' 


754. 

ntof 
and 

left. 
:'.om(' 
inbci 
t  for 
e;  on 
work 

pint 


,    oni' 
L(le  at 

Fort 
thfir 
M. 
■cams. 
I  of 

0  to 
t  to 
host, 
i'  the 
hove 


1754.] 


THE    CAPITULATION. 


79 


^ 


IE. 


Ins. 


Tliese  articles  were  written  in  French,  and  the 
purport  of  them  read  to  Colonel  Washington  by 
\'aiil)raain,  who  was  a  Dutchman,  and  at  best  knew 
hut  little  of  English,  and  was  a  very  poor  French 
scholar.  Besides,  the  falling  rain  rendered  it  impos- 
sible, on  that  miserable  night,  that  a  strictly  accurate 
interpretation  of  the  language  used  should  be  made, 
in  consequence  of  which  the  word  "assassination" 
was  given  by  Vanbraam  as  "the  killing  of,"  and 
thus  Washington  was  led  to  sign  a  document  which 
luade  him  acknowledge  that  his  command  had 
••assassinated"  de  Jumonville,  and  this  fact  was 
afterwards  made  use  of  by  the  French  in  their  con- 
(k'nnuition  of  that  act  and  the  author  of  it.  Several 
authors  have  assumed  that  Vanbraam  purposely 
deceived  his  commander  and  misinterpreted  the  word 
wilfully;  but  that  is  doubtless  untrue,  tbe  greater 
[)robability  being  that  the  error  was  occasioned  by 
carelessness  or  ignorance.  In  September,  somewhat 
more  than  two  months  after  the  capitulation.  Captain 
Mackaye  wrote  to  Washington  from  Will's  Creek, 
stating  that  he  had  recently  returned  from  Phila- 
jdclphla,  and  adding,  "I  had  several  disputes  about 
I  our  capitulation,  but  I  satisfied  every  person  that 
j  mentioned  the  subject  as  to  the  articles  in  cpiestion, 
that  they  were  owing  to  a  bad  interpreter,  and 
Icontrarv  to  tlie  translation  as  made  to  us  when  we 
[signed  them."  M.  de  Villiers'  assumption  that  his 
brother-in-law's  dr\ith  was  an  "assassination,"  was 
I  based  upon  an  honest  belief,  on  his  part,  of  the  story 
told  him  concerning  the  matter,  by  the  Canadian 
who  liad  effected  his  escape. 


jaasKS 


80 


HISTORY  OF    CUMBERLAND. 


Early  on  the  niorniiip;  of  the  fourth  of  July,   the 
day  following  the  signing  of  the  arlicles,  Washington 
marched   out   of  the    fort,   with    his  command,  his| 
regimental   colors   borne   in    front,    and    the    men 
carrying  upon  their  backs  their  wounded  comrades, 
and   such   of  their   baggage    as  they  were  able  to 
convey  in  this  way.     Scarcely  had  they  commenced 
their  march,  when  a  fresh  body  of  Indians  came  up 
as  reinforcements  to  the  French,  and  these  at  once 
commenced  to  plunder  the  baggage  and  stores  that  j 
were  left,  and  they  could  scarcely  be  restrained  bv 
the  French.     Seeing  this,  Washington  had  his  men  I 
destroy  all  that  could  not  be  taken  away,  including 
his  ammunition,  military  stores,  and  the  one  swivel 
that  was  left  him.     By  ten  o'clock  he  was  clear  of 
the  neighborhood  of  the  fort,  but  finding  that  three 
wounded  men  had  been  left  behind,  he  sent  back  for 
them  and  had  them  brought  up.     When  night  camel 
on  he  was  barely  three  miles  from  Fort  Necessity, 
and  there  the  command  encamped. 

The  French  demolished  Fort  Necessity,  broke  tliej 
camion  that  were  loft,  carried  off  a  few  tents,  and 
then  marched  back  to  Port  Duquesne.  They  lost  in 
the  engagement  two  soldiers  and  one  Indian  killed, 
and  fifteen  soldiers  and  two  Indians  wounded,  beside* 
several  who  had  wounds  so  slight  as  not   to   unfit 


them  for  duty.  This  is  according  to  a  statement 
made  by  M.  de  Villiers,  though  Washington 
computed  their  losses  to  be  much  heavier.  The 
English  lost  twelve  'killed  and  forty-three  wounded 
in  the  Virginia  regiment;  the  casualties  in  Captain 
Mackaye's  company  have  never  been  stated. 


1754.] 


RETURN    TO   MILLS   CREEK. 


81 


After  several  days  of  painful  and  laborious  march- 
ing, encumbered  by  the  wounded  men,  who  sullered 
greatly,  the  passage  over  the  mountains  was  efl'ected, 
and  with  feelings  of  great  relief  the  little  army  made 
its  entry  into  the  camj)  at  Will's  Creek.  Here  they 
found  an  ample  store  of  provisions  in  the  magazines, 
from  which  their  wants  were  quickly  supplied.  The 
men  were  clothed  and  fed,  and  the  wounded  put 
into  buildings  set  apart  as  hospitals,  where  they 
j  received  medical  attention,  and  compassionate  care. 

Washington  tarried  at   Will's  Creek  but  a  short 

[time.     When  he  saw  that  his  men  had  been  provided 

[for.  he  s:3tout  with  Captain   Mackaye,  for  Williams- 

ihurg,  where  he  made  a  full  and  complete  report  of 

his  campaign  to  Governor  Dinwiddie.     This  report 

was  submitted  to  the  House  of  Burgess(\s,  and  that 

body  passed  a  vote  of  thanks  to  Washington  and  his 

officers,  for    their   "bravery  and    gallant    defense   of 

their  country."     Tlie  names  of  Captains  Stobo  and 

Vanbvaam  weio   omitted   from   this  vote  of  thanks, 

the  House  asserting  that  the    former  was  guilty  of 

cowardice,  and  the  latter  of  treachery,  both  of  which 

[charges  were  unjust.'"" 

The  Governor  refused  to  carry  into  effect  that  part 
[of  tlie  capitulation  referring  to  the  French  prisoners, 
[although  Washington  urged  it  as  an  imperative 
I  necessity  and  felt  that  his  litmor  was  involved. 
Dinwiddie  said  in  a  letter  to  the  Board  of  Trade,  in 
[explanation  of  his  conduct:     "The  French,  after  the 

♦Stolio.  while  lield  ks  n  hostiiae  at  Fort  Dnqnesno,  mnde  a  porfec',  map  nf  that  defense, 
I  ixplai'iiiiK  all  il8  i.niiits,  staled  tlif  streimtli  ol  llic  uaiiisoii,  liow  it  ^lllMlld  be  attiiclifd,  «o., 
Undmged  ilint  itVliould  In'  taken  a»  early  an  iio.-r.il)le,  no     laller  if  liis  lite  wa»  lout  thereby. 

Ho  iirj;('il  that  only  tlin  s^ooct  ol  tho  expedition  nhoulil  be  coiihidered,    williuut  lenanl  to   liiiiiseff. 

It  seems  iin|iii>.;.ible  Ironi  the  learleas'uej.s  »o  olteii  displayed  by  him,  that  he  could  kave  been 
I  puilly  at  auy  time  of  cuwurdice. 

11 


!ii#i,wi««iiia!*vi '  ;-Mui  «siiiaiiv«(\a'«ffiw 


82 


HISTORY  OK  CrcrMr5FJ{LAND. 


i 


capitulation  entered  into  with  Colonel   Washington, 
took  eijiht  of  our  people  and  exposed  them  to  sale. 
and,  missing  thereof,  wnt  them  prisoners  to  Canada. 
On  hearing  of  this  1  detained  the  seventeen  prisoners, 
the  officers  and  two  cadets,  as  I  am  of  opinion,  after 
they  werc^    in    my  custody,   Wa.shington    could   notj 
engage  for  their  being  returned,     I  have  ordered  a 
flag  of  truce  to  be  sent  to  the   French,  offering  the 
return  of  their  officer  and  the  two  cadets,  for  the  two! 
hostages   they   have   of  ours."     The  hostages  were 
not  returned,  but  were  sent  to  Canada,  and  thence  toj 
England.     The  French  prisoners  were  also  sent  toj 
England,   except  La  Force,  who  escaped,   but  was 
afterwards  retaken  and  closelv  confined. 

Mr.   Gist,  who  was  with    Washington,  at  Great! 
Meadows,  presented  an  account  to  the  Governor  oil 
Virginia,  claiming  pay  for  a  supply  of  powder,  lead. 
bearskins,  &c.,  and  for  "1  horse  killed,  helping  in, 
the  Indians  by  Col:  Washington's    order,  £b.  0.  0.' 
which  was  ordered  to  be  paid. 

After  Washington's  return  to  Williamsburg  Colonelj 
James  Innes  marched  to  Will's  Creek,  and  on  the  htl 
of  September  took  command  of  that  post,  which  wasj 
principally  garrisoned   by    Rutherford's  and  Clarks 
independent  companies  fnmi  New  York,  which  li 
been   sent  forward   to  join   Washington,  Ijut  got 
further    than     Winchester.     Colonel    Innes    wai<  a| 
Scotchman  by  birth,  and   at  the  time  he   was  coin- 
missioned  was  a  resident  of   North   Carolina.     Hi? 
appointment  was  not  at  all  popular,  Jind  was  said  toi 
have  been  made  because  he  was  an  old  friend  audi 
countryman    of  the  Governor,   who    was   himself 


•Qofernor  Sliarpe's  Ml 


m 


K 


"^""""'"^     ™" 


HBKi 


1754.] 


BUILDING    THE    FORT. 


83 


I  Scotchman.  On  his  arrival  at  Will's  Creek,  he  set 
about  building  a  fortification,  and  chose  for  that 
purpose  the  hill  lying  between  the  Potomac  River 
and  the  creek,  near  the  mouth  of  the  latter.  When 
I  Washington  returned  from  Great  Meadows,  he  left 
jMackaye's  independent  company  of  South  Carolinians, 
about  ninety  men,  and  the  remnant  of  the  North 
Carohna  companies,  at  Will's  Creek,  to  assist  in  building 
the  fortifications,  which  were  commenced  on  the  12th 
of  September,  and  completed  al)out  the  middle  of 
October.  Colonel  Innes  named  this  fort,  which  was 
built  of  stoccadoes,  "Fort  Mount  Pleasant."  Upon 
finisliing  that  work  he  set  his  men  about  building 
barracks  for  themselves,  which  were  greatly  needed, 
as  the  weather  was  already  c^uite  cold,  and  a  severe 
winter  followed,  with  much  snow  and  icy  winds. 
By  Christmas  they  had  succeeded  in  erecting  a 
sufficient  number  of  log  houses  to  accommodate  the 
entire  force,  and  that  day  was  celebrated  by  such 
festivities  as  were  possible  under  the  circumstances. 

Governor  Sharpe,  of  Maryland,  had  been  commis- 
Isioned,  in  July,  a  Lieuteiumt  Colonel  in  the  Royal 
Army,  and  urged  enlistments  by  every  me.ans  in  his 
power,  but  with  little  success.  About  the  1st  of 
December  he  visited  Will's  Creek,  and  inspected  the 
forces  here.  On  his  return  to  Annapolis,  he  wrote 
I  to  Governor  Dinwiddie  as  follows:''" 

Annapolis,  December  10,  1754. 

'SSiR:  I  returned  last  Thursday  from  Will's 
[Creek,  where  I  found  the  Independents  preparing  for 
[themselves  barracks,  having  already  completed  the 

•QoTernor  Sharpe '»  M88.  letters,  Maryland  Historical  Library. 


■f .  .'i^^i-A^^fe  ;*^^.*/«-i\' 


84 


HISTORY  OF    rUMHERLANI/. 


Bmall  stoccade  fort,  al)out  which  you  were  advised 
thoy  had  Ixicn  employed,  but  as  the  fort  they  have 
finished  is  exceedingly  small,  iti4  exterior  side  not 
exceedinj^  120  fcet,  I  conceived  it  requisite  or  rather 
absolutely  necessary  to  have  another  much  larger 
raised  on  an  adjacent  and  more  elevated  piece  ofj 
ground,  which  1  have  ordered  the  Md.  Co.,  to 
proceed  on,  and  I  hope  they  will  1x3  able  to  finish  it 
this  winter.  The  eminence  on  which  it  will  \A 
situated  gives  it  an  entire  command  of  that  already 
compleated,  and  will  defond  a  Face  of  that  small 
Fort  to  which  an  enemy  might  at  present  approach 
Avithout  being  much  annoyed,  or  hardly  seen  from 
within.  However,  that  on  which  the  troops  havd 
been  employed  may  be  useful  at  present,  and  will 
serve  to  enclose  Store  Houses  or  a  Magazine  after  tliel 
other  is  completed,  which,  I  think,  by  an  advanced 
outwork  or  two  will  be  easily  defended  against 
considerable  niunlxn-  of  troops  that  may  presume  toj 
attack  it  with  only  a  light  train.  At  my  arrival  at 
the  camp  I  was  much  surprised  and  concerned  to 
find  there  was  no  more  provision  in  the  Fort  than 
would  suffice  the  troops  for  one  Day,  which  I  earnestlv 
hope  will  not  be  the  case  again,  lest  the  enemy  shouW 
get  intelligence  tliereof,  and  by  posting  themselves  in 
different  parties  on  the  adjacent  Hills,  prevent  the 
arrival  of  supplies,  whereby  the  Garrison  and  all  the 
Troops,  notwithstanding  their  advantageous  situation 
must  be  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  retiring  aiiJ 
destroying  or  relinquishing  the  Fort,  their  other  work. 
and  perhaps  the  baggage  to  tire  enemy.  That  nothini: 
will    be    wanting    on    your    part    to    avert    such  au 


1754.] 


FORT   MOUNT    PLEASANT. 


85 


accident,  I  am  well  por.suadcd.  but  conceive  the 
troops  will  never  be  well  supplied  with  Provision 
imloss  a  very  diflerent  scheme  from  that  hitherto 
foiiowed  be  pursued.  '^'  '''•  *  *  * 

I  have  enclosed  you  a  calculation  of  the  Expence  of 
Supplying  3000  Men,  with  Provisions  for  S  months, 
which  quantity  I  ai)])rehend  it  will  be  necessary  to 
lay  into  the  Magazine  at  Will's  Creek,  immediately, 
by  reason  I  conceive  it  will  be  very  difficult  if  not 
impossible  to  procure  Beaves  or  Hogs  fit  for  the 
sl.'uightor  after  this  month  and  next,  till  July  or  the 
August  following.  My  estimate  is  made  in  Maryland 
currency,  which  is  at  this  time  with  sterling  at 
about  05  p.  Ct.  Discount," 

The  Governor  was  surprised  to  find  the  camp 
entirely  destitute  of  salt,  and  immediately  sent  a 
courier  back,  with  orders  to  bring  np  a  supply  on 
liorsel)ack  without  the  least  delay.  He  also  ordered 
a  number  of  barrels  in  which  tt)  pack  meat  as  fast  as 
it  should  be  cui'cd  for  future  consumption.  Being 
destitute  of  salt,  the  cattle  on  hand  could  not  be 
killed,  and  were  therefore  pastured  in  the  valleys 
and  on  the  hill  sides  in  the  neighborhood,  wherever 
grass  could  ])e  found,  until  an  ample  sup})ly  of  salt 
was  received,  after  which  the  cattle  were  killed  and 
packed.  Amongst  the  men  at  Fort  Mount  Pleasant, 
was  Andrew  Montour,  an  Indian  interpreter,  who  had 
rendered  very  considerable  service  to  Colonel  Innes 
a  short  time  before,  at  v.  treatv  which  had  been  held 
at  the  Fort  with  some  of  the  Chiefs  of  the  Six 
Nations.  Governor  Sharpe  conceived  a  great  friend- 
ship for  Montour,  and  strongly  recommended  him  to 


80 


HISTORY    OF   CUMHERLAND. 


[1754.  ■1754.] 


; 


,: 


(lovcrnor  Dinwiddie  as  a  very  useful  person;  and  liis 
good  opinion  was  amply  justified. 

Governor  Sharpe  exerted  liimsell'  to  make 
everything  at  the  Fort  satisfactory;  ho  secured  u 
number  of  teams  for  transporting  supplies  fi-om  tlic 
east,  and  for  service  in  hauling  hjgs  for  the  new  fort 
and  buildings  to  be  constructed.  These  teams  were 
paid  for  at  tlie  rate  of  .£35  ibr  a  wagon,  harness,  and 
four  horses.  The  farmers  who  furnished  them  were 
evidently  determined  to  make  all  they  could  out  ol'| 
the  necessities  of  the  govennnent,  Jis  they  at  first 
demanded  £70  each  for  their  teams;  this  sum  having  | 
Ix'en  refused  them,  they  firudly  agreed  to  accept 
one-half  the  amount  originally  asked.  Mr.  Gist  was 
the  purchasing  agent  for  the  Virginia  soldiers,  and 
Colonel  Cresap  for  the  Maryland  company.  Cresap 
had  purchased  29,130  pounds  pork,  and  13,11)" 
pounds  beef  already  cured,  enough  to  supply  tlii' 
Mar^'land  company  for  twelve  months.  The  former 
gentleman  was  severely  criticised  b\'  Governor  Sharpe, 
who  charged  him  with  having  withheld  money  and 
supplies,  with  a  view  to  private  speculation.  Flour 
was  sold  at  the  fort  at  12s.  per  cwt.,  and  vegetabk< 
were  scarcely  to  be  had  at  any  price. 

Governor  Dinwiddie  w^as  asked  to  send  a  few  shipi 
carpenters  to  the  Fort,  as  their  services  were  needed 
in  the  work  of  building;  also  some  cartridge  paper, 
moulds  for  musket  and  swan  shot,  wire  for  screws, 
and  p)rickers,  flints  and  some  w^ampum,  the  supply  of 
the  latter  having  been  almost  entirely  exhausted. 

The  New  York  companies  having  been  supplied! 
with    blankets    and    match   coats,   and   the    Soiitli 


1754.] 


FORT    MOUNT    I'LEASANT. 


87 


tlu'i 

orinor  | 

arpo, 

and  I 

'lour  I 

table:* 

sliii)  I 
L^eded  | 
)apev. 
rows,  I 
)ly  of] 
d. 

plied  ] 
Hoiitli  I 


Carolina  company  ha\'in<r  noithor  of  those  articles, 
iiiQiv  was  some  confnsion  in  camp  for  awiiile,  as  the 
latter  company  demanded  that  it  should  he  supplii'd 
with  these  articles;  but  the  matter  was  finally 
arranged,  and  Governor  Sharpe  ordered  Colonel 
limes  to  divide  £V1  between  the  private  soldiers  of 
the  three  independent  eomj)aiues,  as  extraordinary 
pay  for  the  labor  they  had  undergone  in  building 
their  barracks. 

There  were  at  this  time  at  Fort  Mount  Pleasant 
three  Captains,  eight  Lieutenants,  one  Ensign, 
twelve  sergeants,  thirteen  corporals,  seven  drummers 
and  two  hundred  and  ninety-fiv^e  private  soldiers,  all 
under  command  of  Colonel  Innes.  The  supply  of 
artillery  was  limited  to  a  few  small  guns  of  ojo  inches 
bore. 

After  the  affair  at  the  (Jreat  Meadows,  the  llalf- 
King  took  his  family  and  went  to  Aughquick,  in 
Pennsvlvania,  wdiere  he  w^as  maintained  at  the 
expense  of  the  government.  He  was  thoroughly 
di.*<gusted  with  the  conduct  of  the  campaign,  and 
declared  that  the  wdiite  men  knew  nothing  about 
war.  He  said  that  the  French  were  cowards, 
and  the  English  fools,  and  that  while  Washington 
was  a  very  good  man,  he  was  totally  lacking  in 
experience,  and  too  fond  of  his  own  notions  to  accept 
the  advice  offered  him  by  the  Indians.  A  short  time 
after  his  removal  to  Aughquick,  the  Half-King  was 
taken  sick,  and  in  October,  1754,  he  died.  Upon 
news  of  his  death  being  received  at  Will's  Creek, 
Colonel  Innes  called  together  all  the  Indians  in  front 
of  the  Fort.     He  announced  the  death  of  the  warrior, 


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88 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBEKLAND. 


[1754. 


and  George  Croghaii,  who  was  an  intimate  friend  of 
Tanacharisson,  and  a  trader  at  Aughquick,  made' 
a  condolence  speech,  and  gave  them  a  present  ofj 
goods  to  cover  the  grave  of  the  Red  man  whom  tliev 
had  so  highly  esteemed.  There  was  great  lamenta-  M 
tion  amongst  the  Indians,  who  attributed  the  death 
of  the  Half-King  to  the  French,  whom  their  medicine 
man  declared  had  bewitched  him,  and  they  threatened 
to  be  revenged  upon  their  white  enemies  for  this] 
calamity. 

Shortly  after  the  completion  of  the  barracks  at] 
Fort  Mount  Pleasant,  Governor  Dinwiddie  received 
from  the  King  instructions  to  proceed  at  once  to  the 
erection  of  a  fort  at  Will's  Creek,  Avhich  should  be  of 
such  dimensions  and  character  of  construction  as  the 
importance  of  the  position  seemed  to  require,  in  view 
of  more  extensive  military  operations  in  the  direction 
of  Fort  Duquesne.  Governor  Dinwiddie  at  once 
transmitted  these  instructions  to  Colonel  Innes,  who 
was  directed  to  comply  with  the  orders  without 
delay.  General  Braddock,  who  had  been  designated 
by  the  Duke  of  Cumberland  as  the  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  the  new  expedition,  and  who  had  been  I 
privately  instructed  by  the  Duke  as  to  his  wishes, 
also  requested  Governor  Dinwiddie  to  have  the  Fort| 
put  in  condition  to  accommodate  two  himdred  men. 
and  announced  that  it  should  be  named  "Fort I 
Cumberland,"  in  honor  of  the  Captain-General  ofj 
the  British  army,  who  had  honored  him  with  i 
important  a  mission. 


FORT    CUMBERLAND. 


1755-1787. 


The  orders  of  the  King  were  obeyed  with  alacrity 
[by  Colonel  Innes,   and  under  his  supervision    Fort 
jCuraberland  was  erected  and  garrisoned,  during  the 
[winter  of  1754-55.     The  citizens  of  our  city  have  for 
generations  past  pointed  out  the  spot  upon  whi(ili  this 
'  Fort  was   located,  but  they  had   no  information  or 
conception  of  the  size,  shape,  and  character  of  the 
work,  or  its  surroundings.     Fortunately,  a  sketch  of  the 
i  Fort  was  found  by  the  author  amongst  the   King's 
Manuscripts,  in  the  Library  of  the  British  Museum, 
in  London.     A  photographic  copy  of  this  sketch  was 
secured,  and  an  engraving  of  the  same  is  here  given. 
It  was  drawn  by  one  of  the  officers  in  the  Fort,  at  the 
time  of  General  Braddock's  arrival.     The  fortifications 
were  drawn  to  a  scale,  but  the  proportions  were  not 
preserved  in  mapping  out  the  river,  creek,  and  sur- 
rounding  grounds.      This    fact    made    it    somewhat 
IditHcult  to  establish  the  exact  lines  of  the  work,  and 
(compelled  a  resort  to  the  memory  of  our  oldest  inhab- 
litants.     Mr.  Jesse  Korns  has  a  distinct  recollection  of 

('linil)ing  over  the  remaining' earthworks  when  a  boy, 

12 


90 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


and  he  fixt'  the  Easterly  line  of  the  Fort,  that  [>ortion 
of  it  which  -uns  to  a  point  neai-est  WilTft  Creek. 
Bome  forty  feet  east  of  Emmanuel  Church.  The  I 
confonnation  of  the  ground  at  that  8pot  i.s  strongly [ 
confirmatory  of  hi.s  opinicm,  as  well  as  other  circum- 
stances,  which  fix  the  Western  line  near  the  Ixjundarj 
of  Prospect  street.  The  greater  portion  of  Fort 
Cumterland  was  a  ])allisado  work — all  of  it,  in  fact 
except  the  small  bastioned  work  on  the  Western  end. 
The  pallisades  were  logs  cut  to  a  length  of  eighteen  feet. 
and  planted  in  the  earth  to  a  depth  of  six  feet,  formim 
a  close  woixlen  wall  twelve  feet  in  height.  Tliescj 
logs  were  spiked  together,  Avith  strips  and  pins  on  thel 
inner  side,  and  the  wall  was  pierced  with  oixjniiigsf 
for  musketry  along  its  entire  face.  Two  water  gatosl 
are  shown  in  the  plat,  and  from  each  of  these 
trench  was  excavated  leading  to  the  creek,  so  that  tU 
men  might  secure  therefrom  a  supply  of  watcrJ 
without  being  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  IiT 
175G,  after  Braddock's  defeat,  the  Indians  became  «j 
numerous  and  so  bold  as  to  approacli  near  enough 
shoot  those  who  ventured  to  the  Avater's  edge,  and  id 
consequence  thereof  a  well  Avas  sunk  inside  of 
pallisade  near  the  main  gate  on  the  South  side.  Tlii 
well  was  in  use  not  many  years  since,  and  is  still  ia 
existence  on  the  property  of  lion.  Hopewell  Ilebl 
It  was  about  eighty  feet  in  depth,  and  within 
memory  of  the  Avriter  was  furnished  with  an  immeus 
wheel  and  two  buckets  by  which  excellent  cold  watd 
was  draAvn  from  it.  About  the  year  1799,  this  wtl 
was  first  cleaned  out,  after  the  abandonment  of  tli 
Fort,  and  the  father  of*  Mr.   .Fohn  B.  Widener  waj 


1755.] 


FORT    CUMBEKLAND. 


91 


present  when  part  of  a  f^un  carriage,  a  wheel,  and  a 
lar<'^e  quantity  of  cannon  balls,  musket  balls,  &c.,  were 
i  taken  therefrom. 

Inside  the  stockade,  were  built  barracks  sufficient 
[to  furnish  quarters  for  two  hundred  men,  and  the 
company  officers.     Besides,   there   was  a  j)arade    or 
drill  ground  for  the  companies. 

At  the  west  end  of  the  stockade  was  built   a  fort, 

[with  bastions,    parapets  and  ditches,  where  sixteen 

[guns    were    mounted,    which    commanded    all    the 

jground  north,  west  and  south,  as  well  as  the  north 

land  south  lines  of  the  stockade.     These  guns  were  of 

^liffcrent  calibre,  four  of  them  being  I2-pounders,  and 

twelve  4-pounders.     Besides  these,  there  were  several 

[swivels.     A  part  of  this  armament  was  ships'  guns, 

)rought  from  Admiral  Keppel's  fleet.     On  the  west 

[face  was  a  sally  port,   and  inside  the  fort   were  the 

houses  used  as  quarters  for  the  commanding  officer, 

[t'or  storing  provisions,  and  for  the  guard  details  while 

bn  duty. 

The  entire  work  was  400  feet  in  length,  and  160 
[n  Avidth,  extending  from  the  point  indicated  below 
Emmanuel  Church  to  within  a  short  distance  of 
^'ospect  street,  the  northern  line  extending  along 
learly  the  centre  of  Washington  street.  The 
Fort  proper  occupied  almost  the  identical  spot  on 
jivhich  now  stands  the  residence  of  Mr.  James  A. 
Millholland,  known  as  the  "Hoye  House." 

This    fortification    was   of    considerable   strength, 
md  eonnnanded    the    approaches   from    the    North, 
^ast  and   South.     The    ground   to    the  North-west 
fvas  somewhat  higher,  but'  a  small  earthwork  of  a 


92 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


temporary  character  was  constructed  on  the  crest, 
on  the  site  of  the  residence  of  the  late  James  W. 
Jones,  Esq.  The  ground  on  the  South  side  of  the 
river,  opposite  the  Fort,  was  high  enough  to  overlook 
the  work,  and  somewhat  interfered  with  its  efficiency. 
The  company  parade  and  drill  ground  was  inside  the 
pallisades,  but  the  dress  parades  were  held  on  thej 
ground  now  occupied  by  the  Court  House  and 
Academy.  Quite  a  number  of  log  houses  for  barracks 
were  built  near  the  crest,  and  as  far  back  as 
Smallwood  street,  but  these  were  made  use  of  only 
when  there  was  present  a  greater  force  than  could  be 
accommodated  in  the  Fort,  and  the  barracks  imme- 1 
diately  adjoining. 

At  the  prec^ent  day  the  site  of  old  Fort  Cumberland 
is  one  of  the  most  attractive  spots  in  the  State  of  I 
Maryland,  On  the  bluff  rising  from  the  creek  stands  | 
in  bold  outline  Emmanuel  Episcopal  Church,  a 
handsome  Gothic  structure  of  native  brown  stone, 
embowered  in  masses  of  ivy,  and  relieved  by  grassy 
slopes,  attracting  and  arresting  the  attention  at  once, 
The  remainder  of  the  ground  is  occupied  by  the 
handsome  residences  of  R,  Chew  Jones,  Esq.,  Hon. 
Hopewell  Hebb,  and  James  A.  Millliolland,  Esq, 
Scores  of  relics  of  the  days  of  Washington  and 
Braddock  were  gathered  from  the  soil  while  these 
improvements  were  being  made.  Cannon  balls, 
musket  balls,  bayonets.  Hints,  musket  barrels,  &c,, 
were  amongst  the  trophies  recovered. 

In  the  campaign  of  1755,  generally  known  as 
"Braddock's  Expedition,"  Fort  Cumberland  was  the 
most  prominent  point  occupied  on  the  line  of  march. 


[1755. 

3  crest, 
nes  W. 
of  the 
verlook 
ciencv. 
ide  the  | 
on  the! 
5e    and 
irracks 
ick   as  I 
)f  onlj 
)uld  be 
imme- 1 

erland 
tate  of  I 
stands  I 
ch,   aj 
stone, 
grassy 
.  once, 
y  the 

IIoii. 

Esq. 
1  and 
these 
balls, 
,  &c,. 

n\  as 
,s  the 
arch. 


LAND,  ill 


'OBlaND,  1755. 


1755.] 


jinrl  was 
It  had  be 
troops  in 
Ohio  Riv( 
for  this  pi 
frontier  s 
little   vail 
outskirts  ^ 
liardj  pio] 
of  resort  f 
to  barter 
which  the-' 
house,  and 
place   of  1 
designed  fc 
in   the   ve: 
forests  all 
ohiu-acter  r 
eighty  mile 
the  West  ^\ 
the  organ  izi 
of  his  men  ; 
until  the  cl 
■scenes  and 
historic  eve 
invested   it 
their   carefi 
pleasure  of 
our  Countr 
earliest  less, 
time  beheld 
encamped; 


1^  r  r   T 


FORT   CUMBERLAND. 


93 


iind  was  the  scene  of  important  military  preparations. 
It  liad  been  chosen  as  the  rallying  point  for  all  the 
troops  in  the  operations  against  the  French  on  the 
Oiiio  River,  its  location  being  naturally  advantageous 
lor  this  purpose,  although  as  a  post  of  defense  for  the 
frontier  settlers  further  East  it  was  practically  of 
little  value.  Situated,  as  it  was,  upon  the  very 
outskirts  of  civilization;  surrounded  by  only  a  few 
liardy  pioneers,  and  trappers,  it  was  a  favorite  place 
of  resort  for  those  friendly  Indians  Avho  had  peltries 
to  barter  for  the  baubles,  cloths,  ammunition,  &c., 
which  they  found  at  the  Ohio  Company's  new  store- 
house, and  was  at  the  same  time  well  adapted  as  a 
place  of  rendezvous  for  such  forces  as  might  be 
designed  for  operations  further  w^est.  It  was  located 
in  the  very  heart  of  the  wilderness,  with  virgin 
forests  all  about  it,  and  roads  of  the  most  inferior 
character  reaching  back  to  the  settlements,  nearly 
eighty  miles  away,  while  the  single  road  leading  to 
the  West  was  scarcely  worthy  being  called  such.  In 
the  organization  of  Braddock's  forces,  the  supplying 
of  his  men  and  animals,  and  the  events  that  followed 
until  the  close  of  the  contest  with  the  French,  the 
scenes  and  incidents  that  transpired  here  rendered 
historic  every  foot  of  ground  about  the  place,  and 
invested  it  wdth  an  interest  wdiich  should  lead  to 
their  careful  preservation  for  the  information  and 
pleasure  of  future  generations.  Here  the  Father  of 
our  Country,  the  great  Washington,  obtained  his 
earliest  lessons  in  the  art  of  w^ar,  and  for  the  first 
time  beheld  a  body  of  regular  troops  systematically 
encamped;    here    he    spent    many    weeks    in    the 


94 


nrSTORY  OF   rUMItERI.ANn. 


(Hliicatioii  of  the  cainp  and  the  drill,  and  iannliari/x'd 
liimHelf  with  those  duties  which  were  to  Ixicome  so 
prominent  a  part  of  Iuh  future  life,  in  the  struggle 
his  country  was  destined  to  embark  in  to  preserve 
its   freedom   and    integrity.     The    minutiiip   of   the 
preparations,  and  contests  Avhich  arose,  as  shown  bv 
the  letters  and  documents  to  be  found  in  future  pages 
of  this  work,  are  exceedingly  interesting,  and  worthy 
of  preservation    in    every    library    in   the    country. 
Throughout  the  pages  of  history  frequent  inference 
io  niade  to  Fort  Cumberland,  in  connection  with  the 
j)rogress  of  the  *  plans  and    operations   to  which  so 
much  importance  was  at  that  time  attached,  but  in  | 
no   single  work   has  there   been   recorded    any  con- 
tinuous and  intelligent  narrative  which  could  satisfy 
the   desires   of  those    who    feel    an    interest  in  our  I 
beautiful   city,   or  gratify    their   thirst  for    accurate 
knowledge  as  to  the  discovery,  settlement,  fortification, 
improvement,  cultivation,  growth  and  progress  of  a 
section  of  country  so  richly  endowed  by  nature  with 
wealth  and  picturesque  loveliness.     This  history  has| 
been  gathered  from  rare  volumes  and  precious  manu- 
scripts, botii  in  this  country  and  England,  as  well  as  I 
from  oral  traditions  and  family  records,  and  while] 
much   has   been  thus  fortunately   preserved,  many 
facts  of  great  interest  have   doubtless  been  lost  in  | 
oblivion,  never  to  be  recovered. 

The  campaign  which  had  terminated  so  unfortu- 
nately   at    Fort    Necessity,  served    to    bring    Fort  I 
Cumberland  into  great  prominence,  and  the  English 
authorities  regarded  it  thenceforth  as  their  base  of  I 
operations.     Intelligence  of  the  disaster  above  men-l 


1755.] 


THE    ni'KE   OF    CUMUEULAND. 


95 


tioiic'd  was  received  in  London  in  August,  1754, 
jind  caused  much  excitement  in  the  eal)inet.  The 
niinistrv  (!ould  not  ignore  the  importance  of  immediate 
action,  and  as  the  colonies  seemed  to  l)e  fatally  slow 
in  providing  the  necessary  means  of  defense,  it  bectame 
apparent  that  the  (Jrown  must  furnish  l)oth  troops 
and  sui)plies.  The  Duke  of  Cumberland  was  sum- 
moned to  the  councils  of  the  King,  and  his  keen 
perceptions,  and  energetic  nature,  si)eedily  led  to 
preparations  for  a  decisive  stroke,  the  nature  of 
which,  however,  was  kept  secret  from  the  public. 

In  September  the  Ministry  determined  to  send  to 
America  two  regiments  of  infantry,  the  Forty-fourth, 
Colonel  Sir  Peter  Halkett,  and  the  Forty-eighth, 
Colonel  Thomas  Dunbar,  each  500  strong.  These 
were  to  be  recruited  to  700  after  their  arrival  in 
Virginia.  Two  other  regiments,  of  1,000  men  each, 
were  also  to  be  raised  at  the  King's  cost  in  America, 
one  to  be  commanded  by  Governor  William  Shirley, 
of  the  province  of  Massachusetts,  and  the  other  by  Sir 
William  Pepperell.  Sir  John  St  Clair,  Lieutenants 
Colonel  of  Ofiarrall's  regiment,  had  been  appointed 
Deputy  Quartermaster-General  for  all  the  troops  in 
the  colonies,  with  the  rank  of  Colonel,  and  before  the 
close  of  the  year  he  sailed  for  Virginia,  with  a  view 
to  informing  himself  as  to  the  country  and  the 
necessities  of  the  campaign.  In  November  large 
supplies  of  clothing,  tents,  marcjuees,  arms,  accoutre- 
ments, ammunition,  wagons,  &c.,  were  made  ready 
for  use,  and  £10,000  in  cash  were  sent  to  Virginia, 
together  with  authority  to  draw  for  as  much  more 
j  should  it  become  necessary  to  do  sq.     Every  prepa- 


96 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


ration  was  made  with  a  view  to  rendering  certain  the 
success  of  a  simultaneous  movement  upon  Forts 
Duquesnc,  Crown  Point  and  Niagara;  and  it  was 
thought  that  at  least  twelve  thousand  men  could  be 
secured  for  service,  counting  the  Royal  troops,  the 
Militia,  and  the  Indians  whom  the  colonial  Governors 
had  lK3en  instructed  to  secure. 

The  Duke  of  Cumix^rland  took  the  deepest  interest 
in  the  preparations  for  this  campaign,  and  his  orders 
were  closelv  followed  throughout.  IIo  chose  for 
commander  of  the  troops  to  be  sent'  to  Virginia,  and 
as  Generalissimo  of  all  His  Majesty's  forces  on  the 
North  Amer'  an  Continent,  Major-General  Edward 
Braddock.  Shortly  afterward  Parliament  voted  the 
following  sums  to  pay  the  expenses  of  the  expedition: 

For  two  regiments  of  foot  to  be  raised  for  North  America,  £40,350  15,v 
For  defraying  the  charges  of  the  olHcers  appointed  to  go 

with  the  forces  commanded  by  General  IJraddoek  -     -     £7,338  2.v  W 
For  defraying  the  charges  of  the  oflioers  appointed  to 
attend  the  hospital  for  the  expedition  commenced  by 
General  Braddock £1,119  7s  ( I 

£4!),t(;8  -is 

General  Edward  Braddock  was  the  son  of  Edward 
Braddock,  .<,  Major  General  in  the  British  army,  who 
served  for  thirty  years  as  an  officer  in  the  Coldstream 
Guards,  and  who  was  esteemed  as  an  "honest,  brave 
old  gentleman."  The  date  of  the  birth  of  the  last 
General  Edward  Braddock  is  not  known,  but  is 
supposed  to  have  been  about  1695,  as  it  is  recorded 
that  he  entered  the  army  on  the  11th  of  October,  1710. 
with  the  rank  of  Ensign  in  the  Coldstream  Guards?. 
in  which  corps  his  father  had  served  so  long,  he 
was  promoted   on   the   1st  of  August,    1710,  to  a 


1755.] 


GKNKRAL    EDWAHD    BRADDOCK. 


97 


I '«uitenancy ;  on  the  oOth  of  October,  1734,  to  a 
Ciiptain-Lieutenancy;  on  the  10th  of  February,  173G, 
to  a  Captaincy  in  the  Second  Regiment  of  Foot 
Guards;  on  the  2d  of  Ap.ilj  174o,  to  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  of  the  line,  and  also  to  be  second  Major  of 
the  Coldstreams ;  on  the  27tli  of  May,  1745,  to  be 
first  Major,  and  on  the  21st  of  November  following 
to  be  Lieutenant-Colonel.  Braddock  won  several  of 
these  promotions  by  his  bravery  and  gallantry  in 
hard  fought  and  bloody  battles,  in  several  of  which 
the  Duke  of  Cumberland  was  in  command.  The 
(Joldstreams  was  a  regiment  of  model  soldiers;  in 
courage  and  discipline  they  were  unsurpassed  by  any 
troops  in  the  world;  its  recruiting  standard  was 
oxtniovdinarily  high;  and  no  Papist,  no  Scot,  no 
Irishman,  no  "vagabond"  w^as  under  any  consideration 
porinitted  to  ])ecome  even  a  private  in  the  ranks  of 
this  body  whose  every  member  seemed  to  feel  that 
tilt,'  liouor  and  pride  of  the  regiment  was  in  his 
kcepiug.  They  looked  upon  all  other  troops  as  mere 
api)reniices  in  the  art  of  war,  and  carried  their 
contempt  for  them  to  such  an  extent  that  it  became 
iK'cessiiry  to  issue  an  order  forbidding  them  to  laugh 
iit  or  make  game  of  other  troops  while  they  were  on 
parade.  The  regiment  was  oriuinallv  formed  of  the 
cUfe  of  Fenwick's  and  llesilrige's  Parliamentary 
rojiinients.  and  was  universally  regiirded  as  the 
cnihodimeiit  of  all  that  was  valiant,  heroic  and 
soldierly.  (Commissions  were  held  in  highest  esteem 
ill  tiiis  body,  and  in  1720  the  King  fixed  the  price  of  a 
liicutenant-Colonelcy  in  the  Ccddstreams  at  £5,000;  a 

Major's  c(mnnission  at  .£o,()00;  a  Captain's  at  .£2,400;  a 
13 


98 


HISTORY   OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[17o5. 


Captain-Lieutc'iiaiit's  at  £1,500;  Lieutenant's  £900; 
an  Ensign's  £450;  and  in  176G  these  rates  were 
doubled.  The  payment  of  these  sums,  however, 
was  not  alone  sufficient;  tlie  purchaser  was  required 
to  be  of  irreproachaljle  character,  and  to  pass  an 
examination  to  prove  his  competency. 

For  nearly  fifty  years  had  Braddock  served  in 
such  a  regiment^  wlien  he  was  chosen  by  the  Duke 
of  Cumberland  as  the  commander  of  the  expedition, 
which  was  intended  to  put  an  end  to  all  French 
pretensions  in  North  America. 

A  closely  disciplined  military  education,  of  a 
life-time's  duration,  necessarily  made  Braddock  a 
martinet;  and  with  discipline  and  courage  he  was, 
of  course,  a  soldier,  no  matter  what  may  have  been 
his  other  characteristics.  That  he  was  dissipated  to 
a  certain  extent  is  undeniable;  and  it  cannot  be 
maintained  that  he  was  jx)ssessed  of  such  high 
personal  qualifications  as  to  make  his  character  one 
to  be  admired.  He  was  fond  of  high  living,  convivial, 
and  prone  to  the  laxity  of  morals  that  usually  follows 
excess  in  those  particulars.  The  gaming  table  had 
its  fascinations  for  him,  and  he  was  arrogant,  unfor- 
giving,  and  intemperate.  He  was  haughty,  severe, 
reserved,  and  full  of  self-importance,  which  qualities 
served  on  many  occasions  to  make  him  greatly 
disliked.  There  was  little  of  refinement  in  liifi 
nature,  and  he  was  brutal  in  his  treatment  of  those 
who  invoked  his  resentment  or  dislike.  When  he 
had  heard  something  of  the  nature  of  the  business 
upon  which  he  was  to  embark  in  America,  and  of 
the  enemy  he  was  to  meet,  he  evinced  a  fatal  lack 


1755.] 


OKNEUAT.    RmVARD    MUDIXM^K, 


99 


of  appreciation  of  their  ntrength  and  disposition,  and 
boasted  that  he  would  sweep  them  before  him,  like 
chaff  before  the  wind.  His  reputation  was  somewhat 
damaged  by  one  or  two  affairs  which  indicated  really 
low  instincts — made  still  lower  by  strong  drink, 
disreputable  associates,  and  licentiousness.  For  these 
he  was  lampooned  ])y  satirists,  and  sneeringly 
discussed  in  the  coffee-houses.  His  brother  officers, 
liowever,  evidently  knew  all  the  good  and  the  bad 
in  him,  and  weighed  his  vices  and  virtues;  the  result 
was  that  he  was  accepted  as  "one  of  them,"  and 
associated  with  upon  terms  of  equality.  His  faults 
were  condoned,  because  of  his  good  qualities,  and  for 
iiis  valor  and  soldierly  acquirements,  at  least,  he  was 
esteemed.  He  had  fought  two  duels,  one  with 
Colonel  (Jumley,  and  another  with  Cohmel  Waller, 
in  the  former  of  which  he  was  disarmed,  but  had  too 
much  pride  to  ask  his  life.  Braddock  was  in 
j/ossession  of  moderate  means  upon  the  death  of  his 
father,  but  his  manner  of  life  would  soon  have 
dissipated  a  fortune  less  slender,  aiid  his  straightened 
finances  frequently  made  him  uncomfortable  and 
morose. 

The  most  reckless  display  of  heartlessness  that 
was  at  any  time  developed  in  his  speech,  was  on 
the  occasion  of  the  death  of  his  sister,  Fanny 
Braddock.  This  young  lady  was  beautiful,  talented, 
witty,  and  lavishly  generous.  In  the  fullness  of  her 
friendship  she  sacrificed  her  fortune  to  pay  the  debts 
of  a  gentleman  of  whom  she  waH  very  fond,  and  he 
repaid  the  imprudent  act  with  such  ingratitude  as 
must  have   well    nigh   broken   her  heart.     She  was 


100 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1755 


greatly  addicted  to  gambling,  the  only  vice  ever 
attributed  to  her.  Her  loss  of  fortune,  and  the 
tailing  away  of  friends,  so  preyed  ujwn  her  mind, 
that  in  a  fit  of  desperation  she  hanged  herself,  with 
a  silken  scarf,  on  the  night  of  the  8th  of  September, 
1731,  at  Bath.  When  Braddock  was  informed  of 
this  he  said:  "Poor  Fanny,  I  always  thought  she 
would  play  until  she  would  be  forced  to  tuck  herself 
up." 

General  Braddock  had  been  chosen  by  the  Duke 
of  Cumberland  because  his  "courage  and  military 
discipline  had  recommended  him  as  of  ability  for  .so 
great  a  trust."  The  Duke  had  heeu  an  eye-witness 
to  his  courage  on  more  than  one  occasion,  and  was 
undoubtedly  convinced  of  the  wisdom  of  giving  him 
this  connnand. 

Early  in  November  both  the  Duke  and  Jiraddock 
arrived  in  London,  where  they  had  frequent  inter- 
views and  conversations  relating  to  the  conduct  of 
the  exixulition  alx)ut  to  1k»  undertaken.  The  Captain- 
General  gave  Braddock  minute  instructions  as  to  the 
course  he  was  to  pursue;  the  organization  of  his 
forces;  the  supplies  to  be  provided;  posts  to  ho 
established,  &c.  Amongst  other  verbal  instructions, 
he  directed  Braddock  to  see  that  Vovt  CumlK-rlaiul 
was  strengthened,  and  made  to  accomnuxlate  a  gar- 
rison of  two  hundred  men.  He  advised  the  greatest 
care  in  dealing  with  the  Indians,  who  would  Ix'  round 
a  foe  different  in  every  way  from  the  regular  troops 
of  civilized  nations,  and  practiced  in  woodcraft.  To 
the  latter  suggestions  Bra(ldo(;k  gave  little  heed. 
expecting  to  make  short  work  of  the  savages  with  his 


I..11.  ">  AK...-.i.Vf...lMi. 


lOX/UffMliKS    HltrOKY  OF  CUMBlHiAND 


M 


AJOR    GENERAL   EDWARD    BRADDOCK 


1 755.] 

.splondid  J 

Londoji,  ] 

tioii.s  for  i 

I'lap.sed  b( 

not  until 

was  undo] 

General  ti 

Captain  tli 

on  the    2 

Centurion, 

the  Syren, 

the  14tli  of 

Anna,  Captain 
Halifax,  Capta 
Osgood,  Cuptai 
London,  Captai 
Industry,  Ca{)tf 
Isabel  and  Mari 


\u\, 


Whiting,  ( 

These  w 
Seahorse  an 
there  were 

Meantim( 
exerting  h 
efleetive,  a; 
£20,000  fo 
iinnj  to  ten 
put  all  u2)oi] 
panies,  wlu 
wliolly  desi 
was  that  of 


1755.] 


GENERAL    BKADDOCK  S   FLEET. 


101 


si»l('ii(lid  regular  troops.  After  two  weeks  spent  in 
London,  Braddoek  went ' to  Cork,  to  hasten  prepani- 
tions  for  the  sailing  of  the  transports,  but  many  weeks 
elapsed  before  everything  was  in  readiness,  and  it  was 
not  until  the  14th  of  January,  1755,  that  the  fleet 
was  under  sail.  The  delay  was  so  irksome  to  the 
General  that  he  emliarked  on  aboard  the  Norwich, 
Captain  the  Honorable  Samuel  Barrington,  and  sailed 
on  the  21st  of  December,  accompanied  by  the 
Centurion,  the  Hag  ship  of  Commodore  Kejjpel,  and 
the  Syren,  Captain  Prol^y.  The  fleet,  which  sailed  on 
the  14th  of  January,  consisted  of  the  following  vessels: 


Anna,  Captain  Nevin ; 
Halifax,  Captain  Terry ; 
Osi;ood,  Captain  Crooi<shank8 ; 
London,  Captain  Brown ; 
Industry,  Captain  Niller; 
Isabel  and  Mary,  Captain  Hall ; 


TRANSPORTS. 

Terrible,  Captain  Wright ; 
Fame,  Captain  Judd ; 
Concord,  Captain  IJoynton  ; 
Prince  Frederick,  Captain  Burton  ; 
Fishburn,  Captain  Wm.  Tipple; 
Molly,  Captain  John  Curling; 
Severn,  Captain   Jehoaa  Rawlings. 
ORDNANCE  SHIPS. 
Whiting,  Captain  Johnson  ;       Newall,  Captain  Montgomery. 

Nelly. 

These  were  under  convoy  of  two  men-of-war,  the 
Seahorse  and  Nightingale,  and  in  addition  to  the  stores 
there  were  on  board  £14,000  in  specie. 

Meantime  Governor  Dinwiddle,  in  Virginia,  Avas 
exerting  himself  to  make  the  provincial  troops 
eHeetive,  and  the  House  of  Burgesses  had  voted 
£2(),00{)  for  the  i)ublic  service.  He  enlarged  the 
army  to  ten  companies  of  one  hundred  men  each,  and 
put  all  upon  the  establishment  of  independent  com- 
panies, whereby  the  regimental  organization  was 
wholly  destroyed,  and  the  highest  office  possible 
was  that  of  Captain,  and  all  officers  holding  King's 


102 


WrSTORY  OF  CUMBEULANr?. 


[1755. 


commissions  woi-o  superior  to  officers  of  similar  griido 
in  the  Vin^iuia  regiments.  T1k»  it'sult  of  this 
destruction  of  re^^iuiental  or<^iinizution,  was  to  rotliice 
Colonel  Wjishin<2;ton  to  the  rank  of  Captain,  and  to 
put  over  him  officers  whom  he  had  eommanderl. 
Naturally,  and  justly,  he  regarded  this  as  a  degrada- 
tion, and  immediately  he  resigned  his  commission, 
and  retired  to  his  farm  at  Mount  Vernon.  Governor 
Sharpe,  of  Maryland,  was  familiar  with  Washington's 
career,  and  knew  his  value,  and  importuned  him 
to  take  up  the  sword  again,  assuring  him  o(  a 
commission  e(^ual  to  that  he  before  held.  He  declined, 
howevx'r,  to  accept  the  invitation,  and  expressed  his 
8uri)rise  that  such  a  proposition  should  be  made  him. 
He  replied,  "if  you  think  me  capable  of  holding  a 
commission  tliat  has  neither  rank  nor  emolument 
annexed  to  it,  you  must  entertain  a  very  contemptible 
opinion  of  my  weakness,  and  believe  me  to  be  more 
empty  than  the  ccmimission  itself"  He  concluded  In- 
saying,  "I  shall  have  the  consolation  of  knowing  that 
I  have  opened  the  way,  when  the  siuallness  of  om* 
numbers  exposed  us  to  the  attacks  of  a  superior 
enemy,  and  that  I  have  had  the  thanks  of  my  country 
for  the  services  I  have  rendered."  Notwithstanding: 
he  declined  to  enter  the  army  upon  the  terms  offered 
him,  he  had  a  desire  to  engage  again  in  the  j)rofession 
of  arms,  and  thought  much  up(m  the  subject  during  the 
winter,  which  he  passed  in  almost  perfect  retirement.* 

♦Ttiero  liHil,  an  heretofore  siHterl.  been  A  roiitiiot  nn  to  rank  bptween  Washiiiaton  and  (^rtpta'5 
Mftckaye  ut  I-'ort  Jseoej-sity.  \Va:^hir)>:t<)n  exprensed  Itis  belief  thut  tlin  action  whicti  re-sulted  in 
throninu  out  tile  liifiliiu'  olliccrH,  holdiiii;  (Juloninl  couKiiisMioiif.  was  "  aenerated  and  ImlchtKl 
at  Will's  Creek,"  and  was  cliargeiibleto  (iovernor  Diiiwiddie.  He  as.^ured  Ooveriior  Slmrpetlui 
while  Ins  celf-reappcl  lorbii(>  him  to  serve  under  such  circiiniHtaiice».  bin  feelings  were  "Mtronslf 
bent  to  arms."  These  orders,  were,  however,  reiterated  during  the  winter  by  the  Hoveniiin'"'. 
•nd  olllcer»  of  theroval  troops  were  given  rank  over  those  of  the  saiiio  grade  holding  Coloiml 
cnmmisaions  of  older  date,  while  provincial  field  otHcers  were  allowed  uo  rank  whatever  wlien 
(ervlug  with  general  and  field  otUcerii  oommiMitloued  by  the  C'rowu. 


1755.]    C30VERN0R  SIIARrE  AT  FORT  CUMBKULAND.         \()i\ 

Aftiiirs  at  Fort  Ciimhorliuid  wore  very  quiet  at  tin's 
time,  so  far  as  the  enemy  was  concerned.  About  the 
1st  of  January,  1755,  a  party  of  fndians,  nuni))ering 
iifteon,  arrived  at  the  Foil,  and  said  they  had  been 
with  tiie  French.  Tliey  asked  a  great  many  questions 
as  to  tlie  intentions  of  the  British,  and  asserted  that 
the  Indians  had  resolved  to  remain  in  the  position  of 
neutrals,  and  not  to  take  any  part  in  the  war.  The 
conduct  of  these  visitors  was  so  singular  as  to  excite 
distrust,  and  they  were  permitted  to  leave  the  camp, 
without  obtaining  any  information  other  than  such 
as  they  could  acipiire  by  close  observation. 

On  the  2(lth  of  Januai-y,  Governor  8harpe  again 
visited  Fort  Cumljerland,  and  on  the  26th  Sir  John 
St.  Clair  arrived.  They  made  an  examination  of  the 
works,  the  sui)plies,  and  the  arms;  and  two  days  were 
spent  in  inspection  and  consultation  as  to  the  additions 
that  were  necessary  to  the  stores,  and  the  best  method 
of  getting  them  to  the  camp.  About  the  28th  these 
jientlenien  stepped  into  a  small  boat,  at  Fort 
Canil)erland,  ant^  descended  the  Potomac  to  Alex- 
andria. They  inspected  the  river  the  entire  distance 
traversed,  with  a  view  to  determining  the  feasibility 
of  sending  supplies  to  Fort  Cuml)erland  by  water,  and 
Sir  John  St.  (Jlair  was  of  opinion  that  such  a  project 
was  entirely  practicable,  could  the  rocks  in  the 
channel  at  Great  Falls  be  removed.  This  he  thought 
could  be  accomplished  by  means  of  gun})owder,  to  an 
extent  sufficient  to  permit  the  passage  of  Hat  Ijottomed 
boats.  The  experiment,  however,  was  never  tried, 
iuid  the  bulk  of  supplies  was  afterwards  sent  over  the 
rough  mountain  roads  in  wagons. 


104 


HISTORV  OF   CUMHEULANI). 


[1755. 


Wlillo  at  Fort  (yUiiibcrland,  (Jovi'niorSlmrjK'  found 
miiitiiry  anUirs  in  a  very  unsatisliictory  condition;  the 
Virp!;inia  (•oni|)anioH  wore  unruly,  discoutcntod  iuid 
mutinous,  while  the  Marvland  company  was  oi'  little 
value,  iK'cause  of  its  limited  numbers  and  lack  of 
disei[)line.  The  ofTicerH  of  the  Colonial  compiums 
and  those  holding  Kin<:;'s  commissions,  were  at  dag<rers' 
l)oints,  Ix'cause  of  the  dispute  as  to  rank;  and  this  of 
itself,  was  extremely  demoralizinji;  in  its  efleets.  Sir 
John  St.  Clair  ins|K'cted  the  soldiers  at  the  Fort,  nnd 
dischar<:^'ed  no  less  than  twenty  from  Captain 
Rutherford's  company,  because  of  their  unhtness  for 
Hervico.  . 

On  the  20th  of  February,  the  Norwich,  havinji'  on 
board  (Jeneral  IJraddock,  Cn])tain  Ornie,  erne  of  his 
aides-de-canii),  and  Mr.  William  Shirlev,  his  Secretary, 
entered  IIam])ton  Roads.  This  arrival  had  been 
looked  forward  to  with  the  utmost  interest  by  tlic 
people  of  Virginia,  Maryland  and  Peinisylvania,  wIki 
were  very  solicitous  for  the  defeat  and  punishinciit 
of  the  French,  but  felt  both  unable  and  unwilling  tn 
bear  the  expense  of  the  necessary  troops  and  su|)i)lii's. 
Two  of  the  trans})orts,  the  Osgood  and  Fishburii. 
jvrrived  on  the  2d  of  March,  and  a  fortnight  later  tlic 
entire  fleet  had  arrived  and  [)roceeded  to  Alexandria. 
where  the  troops  were  temporarily  ({uartered. 

Ceneral  Braddock  had  not  awaited  the  .arrival  of 
the  fleet,  but  had  gone  to  Williamsburg,  where  lie 
consulted  with  Governor  Dinwiddle,  and  at  once 
invited  the  Governors  of  the  various  colonies  ti)  inott 
him  at  Annapolis.  On  the  14th  of  April  Goveriioi^ 
Shirley,   of   Massachusetts;   Dinwiddie,  of  Virginiii: 


1755.] 


ORGANIZING    THK    CAMl'AIGN. 


105 


Di'liiiu'V,  of  New  York;  Sliarpo,  of  Maryland;  Morris, 
of  Pennsylvania;  and  Dohhs,  of  North  Carolina, 
iisseinhled  with  him,  in  eonvention,  at  Alexandria, 
and  after  a  len<^thy  discussion  made  articles  covering 
iirranjfements  for  the  prosecution  of  a  comprehensive 
campaign.  In  addition  to  these  gentlemen.  Admiral 
Keppel,  commander  of  tlie  lleet.  was  present.  The 
plan  a(lo])ted  embraced  three  dillerent  movements, 
viz:  One  against  Fort  Du([uesne,  by  IJra(l(h)ck;  one 
against  Niagara  and  Frontenac,  (Kingston,)  under 
command  of  (lovernor  Shirley,  and  one  against  Crown 
Point,  on  Lake  Champlain,  by  General  William 
Johnson,  who  was  then  a  resident,  and  an  influential 
man,  amongst  the  Indians  of  the  Mohawk  nation. 
The  time  fixed  upon  for  the  inauguration  of  active 
operations  was  the  end  of  June,  and  it  was  thought 
that  ail  easy  victory  would  be  accomplished  in  every 
quarter.  ' 

General  Braddock  evidently  had  very  crude  ideas 
regarding  the  colonies  and  the  inhabitants  thereof, 
and  expected  all  the  orders  of  the  Ministry  to  be 
carried  into  ef!ect  as  concisely  as  was  the  custom  at 
home.  lie  therefore  antici{)ated  the  prompt  supply 
of  the  four  hundred  men  who  were  to  recruit  the 
ranks  of  the  44th  and  48tli  regiments,  and  which 
were  to  come  from  Pennsylvania.  These  were  not 
forthcoming,  and  he  wrote  frequent  letters  to  Governor 
Morris,  entreating  him  to  use  every  efibrt  to  secure 
the  men,  and  olT'ered  a  ])ounty  of  £3  lor  each  recruit. 
M  His  persistent  appeals,  however,  were  fruitless,  from 
which  cause  he  gave  expression  to  his  disgust  and 
anger  in  most  violent  language.     It  may  readily  be 


106 


IIISTOUY  Ot    CUMnERLAND. 


imagined  that  the  Gcncrars  tcinpor  was  not  afterwards 
improved,  when  he  found  that  his  movements  were 
to  he  seriously  retarded  hy  a  hick  of  means  of  trans- 
portation, as  well  as  by  scarcity  of  8U[)j)lies.  Sir 
John  St.  (Jlair  had  bari^ained  with  two  Dutch  settlers 
at  the  foot  of  the  IJlue  Ridge,  for  two  hundred 
wagons  and  fifteen  hundred  pack-horses,  to  Iw 
furnished  early  in  May,  at  Fort  Cumberland;  and 
Governor  Sharpe  had  agreed  to  furnish  a  hundred 
wagons  to  be  used  in  transporting  stores,  on  the 
Maryland  side  of  the  Potomac,  towards  Fort  Cumber- 
land. Neither  of  these  contracts  was  fully  carried 
into  effect.  The  Dutch  settlers  neglected  the  matter 
entirely,  and  Governor  Sharpe  experienced  the 
greatest  difficulty  in  getting  together  even  a  few 
teams. 

In  considering  the  difliculties  of  this  campaign, 
some  of  which  began  to  be  apparent  to  him,  Braddock 
remembered  Washington,  with  whose  course  he  was 
well  acquainted,  and  he  deemed  it  for  the  good  of  the 
country's  service  to  call  him  again  to  the  field.  He 
appreciated  fully  the  dignity  of  the  young  Virginian's 
action  in  resigning  his  commission,  and  was  pleased 
with  the  spirit  he  had  shown.  Washington  was 
already  under  the  influence  of  a  fever  of  military 
zeal,  which  was  fanned  to  a  greater  heat  day  after 
day  by  the  preparations  he  saw  being  made  for  war. 
and  he  Avas  a  frequent  visitor  to  the  camp  at 
Alexandria.  A  number  of  prominent  personages 
represented  to  General  Braddock  the  value  of 
Washington's  services,  he  having  experience  and  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  the  country,  and  the  result 


/OiJ.J 


WASHINGTON    AN    AII)-l)i:-CAMI\ 


107 


was  that  Captain  Orinc  wrote,  by  Hniddock's  orders, 
tlic  Ibllowing  cordial  letter,  addresned  to  Major 
Washington: 

"WihiJAMSuuRc;,  2  March,  17<'>5. 

"Sir: — The  Oenerul  havinj^  been  informed  that  you  expressed  Home 
doHire  to  iimko  tlic  oiun|»iiif,'ii,  but  llmt  you  declined  it  iifion  some 
(lisn^reeableness  llint  you  tb(ni;^lit  niifjbt  arise  from  the  rej^nbilions  of 
coiiiiniind,  has  ordered  me  to  ac<inaint  you  that  lie  will  be  very  ghid  of 
your  company  in  his  family,  by  which  all  inconveniences  of  that  kind  will 
be  obviated. 

"  I  shall  think  myself  very  happy  to  form  an  acquaintance  with  a 
person  so  nniverpnlly  esteemed,  and  shall  use  every  opportunity  of 
assuring  you  how  much  I  am,  Sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

"ROBERT  ORMK,  Aidderavipr 

Washington  was  highly  gratified  by  the  compliment 
80  gracelully  tendered,  and  hastened  to  accept  a 
position  so  agreeable  to  his  tastes  and  incHnations. 
His  position  as  aid-dc-camp  on  Braddock's  stall' gave 
iiiin  no  emohmients,  and  in  fact  could  not  be  other- 
wise than  expensive,  yet  he  was  freed  thereby  from 
the  annoyance  of  questions  as  to  rank,  and  was 
satisfied  to  accept  as  compensation  the  glory  he 
might  Avin,  and  the  experience  he  might  gain. 
His  private  aflairs  prevented  him  from  at  once 
entering  upon  his  duties,  and  Captain  Orme  WTote 
him:  "Tlie  General  orders  me  to  give  you  his 
oonipliments,  and  to  assure  you  his  wishes  are  to 
make  it  agreeable  to  yourself  and  consistent  with 
your  affairs ;  and,  therefore,  he  desires  you  will  so 
settle  your  business  at  home  as  to  join  him  at  Will's 
Creek,  if  more  convenient  to  you;  and  whenever  you 
find  it  necessary  to  return,  he  begs  you  will  look 
upon  yourself  as  entirely  master,  and  judge  what  is 
necessary  to  be  done." 


108 


HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND. 


While  Braddock  was  gotting  ready  for  his  march 
from  Alexandria,  Sir  John  St.  Clair  had  returnetl  to 
Fort  Cumberland,  where  he  set  everybody  by  the 
ears,  and  startled  the  commissioners  who  had  been 
sent  by  Pennsylvania  to  attend  the  construction  of 
the  road  required  by  the  government.  Nothing 
wh;itever  had  been  done  towards  building  this  road, 
and  Sir  John  was  in  a  furious  passion,  hurling  his 
strong  language  at  Croghan  and  the  other  commis- 
sioners, and  declaring  that  the  want  of  the  road  would 
retard  ihe  expedition,  and  might  cost  them  a 
disgraceful  defeat,  from  the  large  number  of  additional 
troops  the  French  would  send  into  the  country.  He 
threatened  to  march  an  army  into  Cumberland 
county,  to  cut  the  roads,  press  horses,  wagons,  and 
forage,  and  that  he  would  not  permit  his  soldiers  to 
handle  an  ax,  but  by  fire  and  sword  oblige  the 
inhabitants  to  do  the  work,  and  that  he  would  wreak 
general  destruction.  In  case  the  French  should 
defeat  them  he  threatened  to  march  through  the 
province  with  drawn  sword,  and  treat  all  inhabitants 
as  a  parcel  of  traitors,  and  much  more  to  the  same 
eftect.  These  harsh  threats,  while  they  called  forth 
a  reprimand  from  Braddock,  as  being  "officiously 
violent,*'  had  the  effect  of  stimulating  the  Penn- 
sylvanians  to  activity.  Governor  Morris  exerted 
himself  to  the  utmost,  and  manifested  an  earnest 
desire  to  do  all  in  his  power  to  forward  the 
construction  of  the  road,  and  in  the  latter  part  of 
April  sent  Mr.  Thomas  Walker  to  Fort  Cumberland, 
with  instructions  to  see  such  persons  as  were 
necessary,  and  to  endeavor  to  have  them  give  their 


1755.] 


GOVERNOli    MORRIS  S   EFFORTS. 


100 


aid  to  the   work.     Mr.    Walker  wrote   to   Governor 
Morris  as  follows  : 

"  Fort  Ccmberlaxd,  March  ye  7th,  1755. 
•' IIoxoiKKi»  Sib  : 

"  1  wnitcd  on  Mr.  .Tiimes  Wri^^ht  nnd  John  Smith,  on  my  way  here. 
Thev  both  oxpresseil  the  greutost  desire  of"  Coniplyinfr  with  the  InatrnotionB 
stnt  tlieiii  by  the  Hono\irable  Isaac  Norris  and  the  other  commissioners 
in  Philadelphia.  I  could  not  wait  on  Mr.  Armstrong,  without  ^j^reat  loss 
of  time,  which  oicationert  me  to  write  to  him  only. 

"I  don't  doubt  but  your  Honour  has  had  the  ajrreeable  n'?ws  of  the 
arrival  of  the  English  Forces,  which  will  make  the  greatest  despatch 
necessary  in  the  Gentlemen  who  are  to  purchase  the  Wheat.  Just  nDw  a 
party  men  cotnmimded  by  Mr.  Lowmain  Brought  .loseph  Nelson  to  the 
ciirap  with  two  otlur  men,  and  one  Woman,  who  the  Men  had  by  foi<^c 
taken  from  her  Father's  House  ;  one  man  of  Capt.  Rutherford's  was  si-ot 
through  the  arm.     I  am 

"Your  Honours  Most  Humble  Servant  in  Hast 

"THOMAS  WALKER. 
''  To  the  Hon'ble  Robert  Hunter  Morris 

'•  Governor  of  Pensilvania." 

Governor  Morris  undertook  .also  to  organize  a  band 
of  Indians  for  the  expedition,  and  he  wrote  to  George 
Croghan,  at  his  place  at  Aughquick,  to  get  together 
as  many  warriors  as  possible  who  were  friendly,  and 
to  distribute  among  thein  a  number  of  wamjDum  belts, 
engaging  them  to  meet  General  Braddock  at  Fort 
Cumberland,  and  to  take  up  the  hatchet  against  the 
French.  Croghan  undertook  this  service,  and  agreed 
t'lirtherinore  to  furnish  a  company  of  hardy,  resolute 
woodsmen,  w^ho  knew  every  trail  in  the  forests,  and 
who  were  under  command  of  Captain  Jack,  one  of 
the  most  daring  characters  that  could  be  found  in 
the  wilderness,  and  a  terror  to  the  Indians. 

The  following  letter  was  received  by  Governor 
Morris  from  Governor  Dinwiddle,  under  date  of 
March  10th: 


110 


HISTORY  OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


"  WiLUAMSBURo,  March  10,  1755. 
"Siu: 

"  Your  favor  of  the  2Gth  ult.  I  recieved  Yesterday — 1  am  very  glad  you 
prevailed  with  Your  Committee  for  the  Flour  of  1 1,000  bushels  of  wheat 
to  be  delivered  at  Conogacheek :  this  is  a  very  Seasonable  Supply,  as 
that  quantity  with  what  I  have  purchased,  I  hope  will  answer  the 
Breadkiiid,  &  I  hope  I  have  Salt  Provisions  suHicient,  but  must  entreat 
You  to  direct  the  delivery  of  the  Flour  with  all  imaginable  K.xpedition; 
as  the  Transports  are  mostly  arrived,  I  hope  the  General  will  take  the 
Field  soon  &  I  would  gladly  hope  that  no  Delay  should  be  on  account  of 
Provisions. 

"  I  hope  you  will  see  it  necessary  to  call  ye  Assembly  iramediutclv 
now  the  Forces  from  Britain  have  arrived,  to  endeavor  with  them  to  raise 
a  considerable  Sum  of  Money  :  for  if  it  please  (lod  to  give  the  General 
success  in  taking  the  Fort  on  the  Ohio,  it  will  be  necessary  that  a  Garrison 
of  250  men  be  left  in  it  (at  the  charge  of  different  Colonies)  not  to  prevent 
his  further  Designs  ci:  this  charge  I  think  should  be  bore  by  the  Colonies, 
otlierway  his  taking  the  Fort  &  leaving  it  without  a  Garrison,  will 
encourage  the  French  next  Year  to  retake  it  &  in  course,  keep  the 
Colonies  in  continual  war :  whereas  streiigtiiening  ourselves  on  the  Ohio 
as  above,  I  am  in  hopes  may  prevent  any  further  attempts  from  the 
French  and  protect  our  Frontiers — and  as  a  great  deal  of  money  will  be 
wanted  for  that  Service,  I  have  called  on  our  Assembly  to  meet  the  firsi 
of  May,  in  hO(<_'S  to  prevail  with  them  for  a  further  supply,  for  100,0011 
now  will  be  of  more  Service  than  a  million  some  Years  hence. 

"The  General  goes  for  Alexandria  the  Beginning  of  next  Week,  and 

expects  Gov  :  Shirley  to  meet  him  at  Annapolis,  &  I  propose  to  wait  upon 

him  at  that  place. 

"  I  remain  with  very  great  respect, 

"Sir  Your  most  obdt  h'ble  Servt, 

"  DI>;WID1)IE.' 

C.iptain  John  Rutherford,  who  was  iit  Fort 
CumberLind  during  the  inspection  by  Sir  John  St. 
Chiir,  wrote  to  Governor  Morris  as  follows: 

"Fort  Clmberland,  March  22,  1755. 
"Sir: 

"I  write  your  honor  a  few  lines,  tho'  I  shan't  think  I  have  anything 
material  to  say  until  the  two  Regiments  from  Cork  arrive.  Our  review 
by  Sir  .John  St.  Clair  is  over,  &,  after  what  he  has  discharged,  I  think 
what  remains  hero  will  be  fit  for  any  service:  I  shall  want  twenty  recruits 
to  compleat  my  company,  in  room  of  those  he  has  discharged  &  those  1 
had  discharged  before,  which  1  have  a  promise  of  getting  from  Maryland 
immediately. 


1 755.] 


THE    MARCH    FROM   ALEXANDRIA. 


Ill 


"  Col.  Innes  remains  here  to  take  care  of  stores  and  Indian  afTuirs,  & 
Sir.Fohn.by  Gonl  Braddock's  orders,  has  left  under  my  command  my  own 
(Vmpaiiy,  Capt.  Demere's  &  two  companies  of  Virginia  Ranrrers,  fifty 
men  eacii,  under  Capt.  Waggoner  and  Capt.  I'erronee  ;  Cnpt.  Clark's,  as 
unfit  for  service,  is  sent  off  to  recruit,  and  Capt.  Dagworthy's  to  be  drafted 
tor  comiileating  the  British  Rpgimts.  The  greatest  plague  I  find  in  mv 
command  proceeds  from  Whiskey,  which  had  always  prevailed,  in  spite  of 
many  expedients  since  the  arrival  of  troops  here.  I  must  get  the  better 
of  it  if  possible,  &  have  punished  several  soldiers  &  staved  some  whiskey, 
but  great  complaints  are  made  by  the  owners  for  want  of  proper  warning, 
so  I  must  beg  your  Honor  would  plea.se  order  the  enclo.sed  Advertisement 

to  be  published  in  your  newspapers  for  three  weeks. 

********* 

"  Sir,  your  Honor's 

"  most  obedient  &  most  humble  serv't 

"JOHN  RUTHERFORD." 

General  Braddock,  although  disappointed  in  the 
matter  of  recruits,  as  well  as  of  transportation,  left 
Alexandria  on  his  march  to  Fort  Duquesne  on  the 
•20th  of  April. 

On  the  2Gth  of  April  the  command  arrived  at 
Fredericktown.  in  Maryland,  where  Washington 
then  joined  it.  It  became  apparent  to  Braddock, 
here,  that  the  selection  of  Virginia  as  the  landing 
place  for  the  troops  was  a  great  mistake,  since  neither 
provisions,  forage  nor  transportation  were  there  to  be 
had,  and  that  had  they  landed  in  Pennsylvania  the 
march  would  have  been  shortened  several  weeks,  and 
a  saving  of  at  least  £40,000  sterling  effected.  He 
iiad  relied  upon  the  promises  made  that  three 
hundred  horses  and  two  hundred  wagons  and  teams 
would  be  su[)plied  him;  besides  an  abundance  of 
forage  and  provisions.  Instead,  however,  he  found 
at  Fredericktown  barely  fifteen  wagons,  and  less  than 
one  hundred  horses,  which  number  was  totally 
inadequate  to  his  necessities.     In  addition  to  this,  it 


112 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


was  found  upon  unloading  tlio  wagons  tliat  tlie 
provisions  were  spoiled,  and  stunk  so  intolerably  that 
they  were  taken  out  of  camp  and  buried.  Those 
facts  aroused  all  of  the  General's  bad  temper,  and  he 
cursed  the  army  contractors  roundly,  as  well  as 
Americans  generally,  denouncing  the  whole  peoj)leas 
irresponsible  and  totally  untrustworthy.  Most  of  the 
officers  shared  in  the  harsh  opinions  entertained  bv 
their  leader,  which  both  Washington  and  Benjamin 
Franklin,  the  Postmaster-General,  undertook  to 
combat,  the  latter  stating  that  Pennsylvania  had 
voted  .£5,000  to  the  support  of  the  King's  troops,  mid 
was  even  then  engaged  in  the  construction  of  a  road, 
at  great  expense.  He  furthermore  expressed  his 
regret  that  tlie  expedition  had  not  landed  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, as  there  every  farmer  had  his  wagon,  and 
there  would  have  been  no  difficulty  in  securing  all 
the  transportation  that  might  be  re(|uired.  Braddock 
took  hope  from  this  statement,  and  asked  Franklin 
if  he  could  not  yet  secure  such  wagons  as  were 
required  for  the  success  of  his  army.  Franklin 
thought  he  could,  and  at  once  undertook  the  task  of 
satisfying  the  General's  Avants  in  this  respect.  Ih 
had  observed  that  the  dress  of  Sir  John  St.  Chiir  wa> 
that  of  a  Hussar,  or  nearly  approached  it  in  some 
respects,  and  taking  advantage  of  this,  he  published 
a  letter,  as  follows: 

"to     the     inhabitants     ok     the     counties     ok     l.ANC'ASTEK,     YOKK    ASH 
CUMBERLAND. 

"Friends  mid  Countrymen : 

"  Being  occasionally  at  the  camp  at  Frederick  a  few  davs  since,  I 
found  the  General  and  officers  of  the  Army  extremely  exasperated  on 
account  of  their  not  being  supplied  with  Ilorsea  and  Carriages,  which  hail 
been  expected  from  this  Province,  as   most  able  to  furnish  thera;  but 


1755.]  franklin's  letter  to  the  pennsylvanians.  113 

thro' the   Dissensions  between  our  Governor  and    Assentibly,  money  had 
not  been  provided  nor  any  strps  taken  for  that  Purpose. 

"  It  was  proposed  to  send  an  armed  force  immediately  into  these 
Counties,  to  seize  as  many  of  the  best  Carriages  and  Horses  as  should  be 
wanted,  and  compel  as  many  Persons  into  the  Service  as  should  be 
necessary  to  drive  and  take  care  of  them. 

"  I  apprehended  that  the  Progress  of  a  Body  of  Soldiers  through  these 
counties  on  such  an  Occasion,  especially  considering  the  Temper  they 
are  in,  and  their  Res?entment  against  us,  would  be  attended  with  many 
and  great  Inconveniences  to  the  Inhabitants  ;  and  therefore  more  will- 
ingly undertook  the  Trouble  of  trying  first  what  might  be  done  by  fair  and 
equitiible  Means. 

"The  People  of  these  back  Counties  have  lately  complained  to  the 
Assembly  that  a  snUicient  Currency  was  wanting ;  you  have  now  an 
Opportunity  of  receiving  and  dividing  among  you  a  very  considerable 
Sum,  for  if  the  Service  of  this  Expedition  should  continue  (as  it's  more 
than  probable  it  will)  for  120  Days,  the  hire  of  these  Wagons  and  Horses 
will  amount  to  upwards  of  Tkirtif  Thousand  Pounds,  which  will  be  paid 
you  in  Silver  and  Gold  of  the  King's  Money. 

"The  Service  will  be  light  and  easy,  for  the  Army  will  scarce  march 
above  12  miles  per  Day,  and  the  Wagons  and  Baggage  Horses,  as  they 
carry  those  things  that  arc  absolutely  necessary  to  the  Welfiire  of  the 
Army,  must  march  with  the  Army  and  no  faster,  and  are,  for  the 
Army's  sake,  always  placed  where  they  can  be  most  secure,  whether  on 
the  March  or  in  Camp.  ^ 

"If  you  really  are,  as  I  believe  you  are,  good  and  loyal  Subjects  of  His 
Majesty,  you  may  now  do  a  most  acceptable  Service,  and  make  it  easy  for 
yourselves;  for  three  or  four  such  as  cannot  separately  spare  from  the 
business  of  three  Plantations  a  Wagon  and  four  Horses  and  a  Driver, 
may  do  it  together,  one  furnishing  the  Wagon,  another  one  or  two 
Horses,  and  another  the  Driver,  and  divide  the  Pay  proportionally 
between  you.  But  if  you  do  not  this  service  to  your  King  and  Country 
voluntarily,  when  such  good  pay  and  reasonable  Terms  are  offered  you, 
your  Loyalty  will  be  strongly  suspected.  The  King's  Business  must  be 
done;  so  many  brave  Troops,  come  so  far  for  your  defense,  must  not  stand 
idle  thro'  your  Backwardness  to  do  what  may  reasonably  be  expected 
from  you;  Wagons  and  Horses  must  be  had;  violent  measures  will 
probably  be  used;  and  you  will  be  to  seek  for  a  Kecompense  where 
yoH  can  find  it,  and  your    case,  perhaps    be   little    pitied    or  regarded. 

"I  have  no  particular  Interest  in  this  Affair,  as  (except  tiio  satisfac- 
tion of  endeavoring  to  do  Good  and  prevent  mischief,)  I  shall  have 
only  my  Labor  for  my  Pains.  If  this  method  of  obtaining  the  Wagons 
and  Horses  is  not  like  to  succeed,  I  am  obliged  to  send  word  to  the 
Gener;.!  in  fourteen  Days,  and  I  suppose  Sir  John  St.  Clair,  the  Hussar, 
15 


kL^WWiffir; 


114 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


with  a  body  of  Soldiers,  will  immediately  enter  the  Province,  of  which  I 
shall  be  sorry  to  hear,  because 

"  I  am  very  sincerely  and  truly 

"  your  Friend  &  Well  Wisher, 

"B.  FRANKLIN." 
The  promulgation  of  this  document  was  speedily 
effective.  The  Dutch  farmers  of  the  back  counties  of 
Pennsylvania  had  formerly  lived  under  despotic 
power,  and  they  dreaded  the  Hussars  as  a  scourge, 
so  that,  believing  St.  Clair  to  have  been  a  Hussar, 
and  having  heard  of  his  violence  and  temper,  they  lost 
no  time  in  sending  forward  two  hundred  wagons  and 
two  hundred  and  fifty  pack  horses,  all  of  which 
reported  at  Fort  Cumberland,  for  service,  about  the 
latter  part  of  June. 

On  the  30th  of  April  Braddock  left  Frederick- 
town,  with  his  stafl'  and  a  body-guard  of  light 
horse.  Before  leaving  Alexandi'ia  he  had  purchased 
of  Governor  Sharpe  a  chariot,  one  of  the  cumbersome 
carriages  of  that  day,  ana  was  making  his  journey 
with  a  degree  of  style  which  would  have  been 
better  suited  to  the  cultivated  districts  of  England. 
He  quickly  discovered  that  the  road  was  ill-adapted 
to  a  conveyance  of  that  character,  and  did  not  hesitate 
to  express  his  opinion  by  "•  damning  it  heartily." 
The  route  pursued  was  that  by  way  of  Winchester, 
the  other,  .and  shorter  road,  not  having  then  been 
built.  He  arrived  at  Fort  Cumberland  on  the  10th 
of  May.  He  passed  Dunbar's  division  of  troops  on 
the  Oldtown  road,  a  few  miles  below  Will's  Creek. 
the  entire  line  making  room  for  him  to  pass  on  the 
narrow  road,  and  the  drums  beating  the  Grenadier's 
March,  as  he  drove  past,  surrounded  by  his  staff,  in 


1755.]  braddock's  arrival  at  fort  Cumberland.  115 


light 


testor. 

1)0011 

lOtb 
bs  on 

reok. 
II  the 
ilier'f 

^ff,  ill 


their  bright  uniforms.  When  he  arrived  at  Will's 
Creek  he  was  received  with  a  salute  of  seventeen 
guns,  fired  from  the  Fort,  and  the  garrison  drawn  up 
in  hne,  and  ready  for  inspection.  It  was  a  little  after 
noon  when  the  General  arrived,  and  as  the  road  had 
been,  for  several  miles  back,  smooth  and  easy,  lying 
along  the  beautiful  river,  and  as  the  weather  was 
mild  and  pleasant,  he  and  his  officers  were  in  fine 
spirits,  when  they  dismounted  to  take  possession  of 
their  quarters  and  join  Colonel  Innes  at  dinner,  at  his 
table.  At  2  o'clock  Colonel  Dunbar,  with  his  com- 
mand, arrived,  and  they  encamped  on  the  hill  to  the 
west  of  the  Fort,  about  where  the  residences  of  Hon. 
George  A.  Pearre  and  Mrs.  J.  Philip  Roman  now 
stand.  The  number  of  Indians  here  at  that  time  was 
about  one  hundred,  and  their  lodges  were  clustered 
in  the  Avoods,  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant.  They  were 
all  of  the  Six  Nations,  and  amongst  them  were 
Scarooyadi,  or  Monicatoocha,  successor  to  the  Half- 
King;  White  Thunder,  the  keeper  of  wampum; 
Silver  Heels,  and  Great  Tree.  Besides  these,  Bright 
Lightning,  the  daughter  of  White  Thunder,  and 
several  other  Indian  women,  were  quite  prominent  in 
their  curiosity,  and  every  day  they  came  to  the  drill 
ground  to  witness  the  marching  of  the  soldiers, 
seeming  greatly  surprised  by  their  numbers  and  the 
uniformity  of  their  movements.  Of  these  natives  the 
Seamen's  Journal  says:  "I  would  willingly  say 
something  of  the  manners  and  customs  of  the  Indians 
but  they  are  hardly  to  be  described.  The  men  are 
tall,  well  made  and  active,  but  not  strong,  but  very 
dexterous    with    a   rifle    barrelled    gun,  and    their 


116 


HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


tomahawk,  which  they  will  throw  with  great  certainty 
at  any  mark  and  at  a  great  distance.  The  wonien 
are  not  so  tall  as  the  men,  but  well  made  and  have 
many  children,  hut  had  many  more  iR'fore  spirits 
were  introduced  to  them.  Tliey  paint  themselves  in 
an  odd  manner,  red,  yellow  and  black  intermixed. 
And  the  men  have  the  outer  rim  of  their  ears  cut. 
which  only  hangs  by  a  bit  top  and  bottom,  and  have 
a  tuft  of  hair  left  at  the  t(jp  of  their  heads,  which  is 
dressed  with  feathers.  Their  watch  coat  is  their 
chief  clothing,  which  is  a  thick  blanket  thrown  all 
round  them,  and  wear  mocasins  instead  of  shoes. 
which  are  Deer  skin  thrown  round  the  ankle  and  foot. 
Their  manner  of  carrying  their  infants  is  odd. 
They  are  laid  on  a  board,  and  tied  on  with  brocod 
bandage,  with  a  place  to  rest  their  feet  on,  and  a  board 
over  their  head  to  keep  the  sun  off,  and  are  slung  to 
the  women's  backs.  These  people  have  no  notion  of 
religion,  or  any  sort  of  Superior  l)eing,  as  I  take  them 
to  be  the  most  ignorant  people  as  to  the  knowledge  of 
the  world  and  other  things.  In  the  day  were  in  our 
camp,  and  in  the  night  they  go  into  their  own,  wliei'e 
they  dance  and  make  a  most  horriljle  noise." 

These  Indians  were  from  Aughquick,  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  were  brought  to  Will's  Creek  by  George 
Croghan,  who  was  commissioned  by  Braddock  as  a 
Captain  to  command  the  savages  during  the  campaign. 
He  was  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  Indian 
customs,  spoke  tlie  language  of  several  nations,  and 
had  great  influence  with  them,  having  been  a  trader 
amongst  them  foi*  many  years. 

On  the  day  of  General  Braddock's  arrival  at  the 


1755.] 


TROOPS    AT     FOUT     rUMBERI.AND. 


117 


P'ort  ho  announcod  the  appointmont  of  Major 
Wftsliiiigton  as  aid-de-camp.  By  the  10th  of  May 
tlie  I'orccs  were  all  encamped  at  this  point,  and  con- 
sisted of  the  44th  and  48th  regiments,  each  700 
stroiijr,  tlie  Independent  companies  of  New  York  100; 
carpenters  100;  rangers  400,  and  the  South  Carolina 
detachment  100,  a  total  of  2,100  men.  These  troops 
were  encamped  according  to  the  plan  ai)proved  of  by 
the  council  of  war,  and  Washington  had  am})le 
opportunity  to  study  the  methods  of  the  camp. 
Braddock  was  a  martinet,  whose  education  permitted 
him  to  overlook  no  detail  which  might  prove  of  the 
least  importance.  Tie  enforced  implicit  obedience, 
and  punished  in  the  most  severe  manner  every 
infraction  of  law  or  regulation;  his  soldiers  were 
drilled  with  persistence  and  precision,  and  the  camp 
was  made  a  model  of  order  and  regularity.  The 
recruits  were  subjected  to  the  most  rigid  discipline, 
and  especial  pains  taken  to  make  them  attain  to  some 
degree  of  perfection  in  the  drill.  Drunkenness  and 
theft  were  punished  with  a  severity  unknown  in  the 
army  to-day,  the  ordinary  penalty  being  a  thousand 
lashes  and  ignominious  expulsion  from  the  regiments. 
Braddock  maintained  to  some  extent  his  old  habits 
of  extravagance  and  conviviality.  He  was  by  incli- 
nation and  education  a  hon  vlvant,  devoted  to  high 
living,  and  good  wine,  Avhen  it  was  possible  to  obtain 
those  articles  which  were  pleasing  to  his  palate.  The 
supply  of  choice  things  to  cheer  the  irmer  man  was 
lamentably  short,  however,  upon  his  arrival  at  the 
Fort,  But  a  few  days  later,  through  Franklin's 
efforts,  there  was  received  by  the  General  a  present 


118 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


of  fifty  fat  oxen  and  one  hundred  sheep,  for  the  use 
of  the  army,  and  the  followinj^  articles  for  his  own 
table : 


Twelve  Flams, 

Eiglit  Cheeses, 

Twenty-four  Flasks  of  Oil, 

Ten  loaves  of  Sugar, 

One  cask  of  Raisins, 

A  box  of  Spice  and  Currants, 


Four  kegs  of  Sturgeon, 
One  keg  of  Herrings, 
Two  chests  of  Lemons, 
Two  kegs  of  Spirits, 
A  cask  of  Vinegar, 
A  barrel  of  Potatoes, 
Three  tubs  of  Butter, 


A  box  of  Pickles  and  Mustard, 

Eight  Kegs   of  Biscuit. 

In  addition  to  these  very  acceptable  supplies,  eacli 
of  the  twenty  subalterns  of  the  48th  regiment  received 
a  parcel  made  up  of  the  following: 


6  lbs.  Loaf  Sugar, 

C     "    Muscorado  Sugar. 

1     "   Green  Tea, 

1     "    BoheaTea, 

6     "   Ground  Coffee. 

<)     "   Chocolate, 

i  chest  best  white  Biscuit, 

i    lb.  Pepper, 


I  Gloucester  Cheese, 

1  Keg,  20  lbs.,  good  Butter, 

2  doz.  old  Madura  Wine, 
2  gallons  Jamaica  Spirits, 

1  bottle  flour  of  Mustard, 

2  well  cured  Hams, 

J  doz,  Dried  Tongues, 
G  lbs  of  Rice, 
6    "  Raisins. 


1  quart  White  Vinegar, 

Colonel  Dunbar  caused  these  latter  articles  to  be 
divided  between  the  subalterns  of  the  two  royal 
regiments.  The  General  again  spread  a  bounteous 
table,  and  his  cooks  devoted  themselves  to  the 
preparation  of  dishes  that  might  tempt  his  appetite. 
The  "two  kegs  of  spirits"  were  not  neglected,  and 
"punches"  were  with  liberality  passed  around  the 
board,  on  many  and  oft  recurring  occasions.  A 
levee,  or  reception  was  held  every  day  at  head- 
quarters, from  10  to  11  o'clock  a.  m.,  at  which  time 
every  officer  was  expected  to  pay  his  respects  to  the 
commander.  «  .  -     -  — -^ 

On  the  12th,  the  Seamen's  Journal  states  that  a 


1755.] 


CONFERENCE    WITH    THE    INDIANS. 


119 


congrcHs  was  held  at  the  Gonoral's  tent,  at  11  o'clock, 
at  which  time  all  the  officers  attended  the  General, 
and  the  Indians  were  brought.  The  guard  received 
them  with  their  firelocks  rested,  and  the  interpreter 
was  ordered  to  tell  them  that  their  brothers,  the 
English,  who  were  their  old  friends,  were  come  to 
assure  them  that  every  misunderstanding  that  had 
been  in  former  times  should  now  be  buried  under  that 
great  mountain  (pointing  to  Will's  Mountain).  Then 
a  string  of  wampum  was  given  them,  after  which  a 
belt  of  wampum  was  held  forth,  with  the  following 
speech,  viz:  that  this  wampum  was  to  assure  them  of 
our  friendship ;  that  everybody  who  were  their 
enemies  were  ours;  and  that  it  was  not  the  small 
force  only  that  we  had  here,  but  numljers  to  the 
northward,  under  our  great  war  Captains,  Shirley, 
Pepperell,  Johnston,  and  others,  that  were  going  to 
war,  and  that  we  would  settle  them  happily  in  their 
country,  and  make  the  French  both  ashamed  and 
hungry.  But  that  whatever  Indians  after  this 
declaration  did  not  coni  ^,  would  be  deemed  by  us 
as  our  enemies,  and  treated  as  such.  The  General 
told  them  he  should  have  presents  for  them  in  a  few 
days,  when  he  should  have  another  speech  to  make 
to  them,  and  then,  after  having  the  ceremony  of 
taking  a  drink  of  the  spirits  all  round,  the  Indians 
filed  out  one  after  another  in  silence,  and  returned 
to  their  camp.  On  the  same  day  one  of  those  sudden 
gusts  of  wind,  which  sometimes  visit  this  locality, 
with  thunder  and  lightning,  came  down  upon  the 
camp,  sweeping  away  a  number  of  tents  and  every- 
thing moveable,  much  to  the  consternation  of  the 


120 


HISTOUY  OF  CUMBEULAND.  [1765.  ^M  1756.J 


soldiers.  The  following  day  the  weather  was  so 
exceHsively  hot,  that  it  was  not  deen\ed  prudent  to 
re((uire  of  the  men  any  exeroise  until  after  the  sun 
had  nearly  Het.  At  night  the  Indians  had  a  grand 
war-danee  in  their  cam)),  having  declared  tlioir 
determination  to  take  up  the  hatchet  against  the 
French.  At  dark  they  had  a  fire  built,  and  formed 
a  ring  about  it,  dancing,  gesticulating  and  shoutiii}; 
in  the  wildest  manner,  their  faces  and  bodies  Ijoin;: 
covered  with  war-i)aint.  Several  Indians  sat  on  tiii' 
ground,  1)eating  a  drum,  made  of  a  skin  stretched 
over  a  tub,  the  name  of  which  in  their  tongue  is  thi' 
toij-wa-egnn.  They  also  contril^uted  to  the  aggre- 
gation of  unearthly  sounds  by  the  rattling  of  the 
shcfiJiefjwon,  a  bladder  dried  and  filled  with  pease. 
It  was  a  custom  with  these  Indians,  once  or  twice  a 
year,  for  the  women  to  dance,  and  all  the  men  to  sit 
by,  and  each  woman  selected  the  man  she  preferred, 
danced  with  lum,  and  then  lived  with  him  for  a 
week,  at  the  end  of  which  time  she  returned  to  her 
husband,  and  they  lived  as  they  did  before.*  The 
wild  dance  of  the  savages  on  this  night  drew  manj 
of  the  officers  of  the  Fort  to  the  scene,  who  looked 
on  with  much  interest  and  some  degree  of  awe, 
while  these  children  of  nature  roused  the  echoes  of 
the  wilderness  with  their  demoniacal  shouts,  and 
went  through  a  thousand  grotesque  contortions. 

A  court-martial  which  had  been  convened  on  the 
13th  had  tried  several  soldiers  upon  charges  mtKle, 
and  Luke  Woodward,  a  private  in  the  ranks  of  the 
48th  regiment,  was  convicted  of  desertion,  and 
sentenced   to   death.     General    Braddock,  however, 

*|j«aiiun'(  JouruBl,  writtea  by  a  naval  ofUcer,  under  Cum.  Keppel,  while  at  Fort  Cumbtrltnd. 


i 


pardoncf 
a  rcpetiti 
shortly  a 
regiment. 
Thomas 
a  jug  of 
nine  iuni 
each,  an( 
the  Fort, 
hi.siies  beii 
was  conipl 
Wash  in 
took  place 
treasiu'e  u) 
1111(1  dlspo.*^ 
delay  and  t 

•'  I 

and  wagon; 
of  which  I 
wrote  the  l 
Wasjiiiigtoi 

"  Dear  Bhotiik 

"As  wearitij 

procure  me  a  p 

Ciirlyle,  wlio  I 

necessity  requir 

"  I  Hce  no  pn 

horses  nor  wat'oi 

fhiUdelphiii ;  th 

tulties  we   must 

proper  convenier 

conceive  the  nitir 

J  ireraendou.s  unde 

it  as  triflinjj.  for  ] 

force  to  repel  the 

others,  with  a  boc 

Und  attempt  their 
16 


1755.] 


AFFAIRS  AT  FORT  CUMHERLAND. 


121 


pardoiu'd  him,  and  wius  rewarded  for  his  leniency  by 

a  repetition  of  the  crime,  by  the  ungrateful  fellow, 

shortly  alter  wards.     Three  other  soldiers  of  the  48th 

regiment.    James   Fitzgerald,    James    Hughes    and 

Tlioina.s  ('onnelly,  were  convicted  of  having  stolen 

a  jug  of  beer.     Connelly  was  sentenced  to  receive 

nine  iiuiidred  lashes,  and  the  others  eight  hundred 

each,  and  this  punisiiment  was  inflicted  just  outside 

the  Fort,  in  presence  of  the  command,  three  hundred 

lashe«  being  given  each   day  until   the   punishment 

wa.s  (U)!nplete. 

Washington  was  a  close  student  of  everythinfr  that 

took  i)hice  in  and  about  the  camp.     Especially  did  he 

treasure  up  mM  that  he  witnessed  of  the  government 

and  dispositi'       of  troops.      He  apprehended  much 

dehiy  and  trou..n  because  of  the  long  train  of  artillery 

and  wagons  which   was  to  be  taken  over  the  roads, 

of  which   he    knew   the    worst.     On    the    14th    he 

wrote  the  following  letter  to  his  brother,  John  A. 

Washington : 

"  Fort  CnMBKRi.AND,  14  May.  1755. 
"  Dkar  Bkothbk  : 

"  As  wearing  boots  is  quite  the  mode,  I  must  beg  the  favor  of  you  to 
procure  me  a  pair  that  are  good  and  neat,  and  send  them  to  Major 
Carlyle,  wlio  1  hope  will  contrive  to  forward  them  as  quickly  as  my 
necessity  recjuires. 

"  I  see  no  prospect  of  moving  from  this  place  soon,  as  we  have  neither 
horses  nor  wagons  enough,  and  no  forage  except  what  ig  expected  from 
Phil'idelphia :  therefore,  I  am  well  convinced,  that  the  troubles  and  diffi- 
culties we  must   encounter  in   passing   the   mountains,  for  the  want  of 
proper  conveniences,  will  equal  all  the  difficulties  of  the  campaign  ;  for  I 
conceive  the  march  of  such  a  train  of  artillery,  in  these  roads,  to  be  a 
j  tremendous  undertaking.     As  to  any  danger  <'rom  the  ememy,  I  look  upon 
I  it  as  trifling,  for  I  believe  the  French  will  be  obliged  to  exert  their  utmost 
force  to  repel  the  attacks  to  the  northward,  where  Governor  Shirley  and 
I  others,  with  a  body  of  eight  thousand  men,  will  annoy  their  settlements, 
*nd  attempt  their  forta. 
16 


122 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1755  H  1755.] 


•'  The  General  has  appointed  me  one  of  his  aides  de-camp,  in  whici: 
character  I  shall  serve  this  campaign  agreeably  enough,  as  I  am  thcreb; 
freed  from  all  commands  but  his,  and  give  his  orders,  which  must  b* 
implicitly  obeyed. 

"  I  have  now  a  good  opportunity,  and  shall  not  neglect  it,  of  forminj  I 
k.     acquaintance,  which  maybe  serviceable  hereafter,  if  I  find  it  wortk 
while  to  push  my  fortunes  in  a  military  line. 

"I  have  written  to  my  two  female  correspondents  by  this  opportunitv, 
one  of  whose  letters  I  have  enclosed  to  you,  and  beg  your  deliverance  of 
it.     I  shall  expect  a  particular  account  of  all  that  has  happened  since  mt  | 
dejjartnre.  "  I  am,  dear  Jack, 

"  your  most  affectionate  brother, 

"  GEO.  WASHINGTON." 


Not  only  were  horses  and  wagons  still  scarce,  but 
the  supply  of  food  for  the  men  was  wholly  insufficient, 
and  of  th^t.  on  hand  twenty-two  casks  of  heef  were  I 
inspected  and  condemned,  on  the  15th,  as  unfit  for 
use.     On  the  following  day  the  last  division  of  the  | 
train  reached  the  Fort,  under  guard  of  two  companies 
of  Sir  Peter  Halket's  regiment.     This  consisted  of 
three    field    pieces,    four    ships'    howitzers,   several 
cohorns,*  and  forty-two  wagons  loaded  with  supplies 
The  first  death  at  the  Fort  also  occurred  on  tliat| 
day.      Captain    Bromley,   of    Sir     Peter    Ilalkets 
regiment,  who  had  been  ill  for  several  weeks,  died  on 
the  16th,  and  was  buried  with  military  honors  on  tlie  ] 
18th.     The  weather  was  excessively  hot,  and  the 
men  suffered  greatly  therefrom.     The  funeral  took 
place  at  10  o'clock  in  the  morning,  at  which  time  all 
the  troops  in  the  camp  and  the  Fort  were  assembled. 
A  Captain's  guard  marched  before  the  corpse,  vvitb  I 
the  Captain  of  the  guard  in   the  rear.     The  men 
carried  their  arms  reve.  aed,  and  the  drums  beat  the 


*A  cohorn  in  a  Bmsll  bronze  mortar,  mounted  on  a  wooden  carriage, and  having  liandlw.in 
ttbiob  it  may  b«  carried  a  short  distance  by  two  men.    It  wae  iuveDtwl  br  Barou  Coebora. 


1755.] 


AFFAIRS  AT  FORT  CUMBERLAND. 


123 


dead  march.  When  the  cortege  approached  the 
I'rave,  the  guard  formed  two  lines,  open  order,  facing 
each  other,  and  rested  on  their  arms,  with  the 
muzzle  down,  and  their  faces  leaning  on  the  buts  of 
the  guns.  The  corpse  was  carried  between  the  lines, 
the  deceased  officer's  sword  and  sash  lying  on  the 
coffin,  and  the  officers  following,  iwo  abreast.  The 
Chaplain  read  the  burial  service  of  the  English  Church, 
and  after  the  coffin  had  been  deposited  in  the  grave, 
the  gi'ard  fired  three  volleys  over  it,  and  were  then 
inarched  to  their  quarters. 

The  warriors  who  had  come  to  Fort  Cumberland, 
wi.L  Croghan,  had,  as  before  stated,  brought  their 
faniilie,«  with  them,  as  they  had  no  means  of  pro- 
viding for  their  women  and  children  during  their 
absence.  The  squaws  seem  to  have  been  quite 
;ittractive  in  person,  being  well  formed  and  having 
small  hands  and  feet,  languishing  eyes  and  soft  voices. 
To  both  officers  and  soldiers  they  possessed  a  charm 
whlcli  led  to  a  great  degree  of  annoyance.  The 
brilliant  uniforms  and  dashing  style  of  the  British 
officers  had  so  captivated  these  untutored  beauties 
that  they  spent  most  of  their  time  in  and  about  the 
camp,  and  willingly  accepted  the  very  marked 
attentions  shown  them.  Presents  of  nioney  and 
other  articles  were  lavishly  bestowed  upon  the  young 
s([uaws,  and  Secretary  Peters,  of  Pennsylvania,  in 
ii  letter  to  Governor  Morris,  said,  "the  officers  are 
scandalously  fond  of  them."  To  such  an  extent  were 
the  amours  of  these  oarties  carried  that  the  warriors 
were  roused  to  a  fury  of  jealousy,  and  angrily 
denounced  the  officers.     Bright   Lightning  the  prin- 


124 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


cess,  abandoned  herself  to  the  dissipation  which  was 
80  novel  to  her,  and  her  example  was  followed  by 
most  of  her  sisters.  In  ord(>r  to  prevent  a  serioui* 
outbreak,  orders  were  issued,  on  the  llth,  forbiddinj: 
the  women  to  come  into  the  cam[),  and  imposing  a 
penalty  upon  officers  and  men  who  should  give  the 
Indiaus  "rum,  other  licpior,  or  money,  upon  am 
pretense  whatever."  These  stringent  orders,  however, 
did  not  remedy  the  evil,  and  the  dusky  maidens  met 
their  lovers  in  other  places,  a  i'avorite  resort  being 
the  shady  grove  just  opposite  the  Fort,  across  the 
river,  in  Virginia.  Finally,  Braddock  determind 
to  get  rid  of  the  women  entirely,  and  on  the  IStlia 
convention  was  held  at  his  tent,  which  was 
attended  by  all  the  warriors.  When  they  had 
assembled,  the  General  made  them  a  speech.  He 
told  them  he  had  invited  them  to  join  him  for  the 
pur])ose  of  taking  up  the  hatchet  against  the  Freiidi: 
that  it  became  necessary  now,  in  preparing  for  the 
movement  to  the  West  that  they  should  send  their 
fjimilies — the  women  and  children — back  to  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  they  might  remain  until  the  enemy  had 
been  punished.  Me  said  their  Father,  the  King,  had 
sent  them  presents  for  their  tamilies,  and  that  lit 
felt  great  interest  in  them,  and  was  in  much  sorrow 
because  of  the  death  of  the  Half-King,  and  that  In 
had  ordered  guns  and  amnumition  to  be  given  tlu 
warriors,  so  that  they  might  be  more  successful  in  the 
chase ;   he    wanted   them   to  be  jjrood  friends  to  the 


English,  who  were  their  brothers.  The  General 
presented  them,  then,  with  three  belts  and  a  striiiL' 
of  wampum,  as  well  as  beads,   knives,  rings,  paint. 


1755.] 


AFFAIRS  AT  FORT  CUMEERLAND. 


125 


cloth,  &c.,  all  of  which  they  received  with  signs  of 
great  pleasure,  and  they  promised  to  come  on  the 
next  day  and  give  their  answer.  They  then  returned 
to  their  own  camp,  and  built  a  hre,  around  which 
they  danced  and  sang  all  night  long. 

On  the  following  day  they  came  to  Braddock's 
tent,  and  notified  him  th.at  they  had  called  to  give 
him  their  answer.  Scarooyadi  said  the  Indians  had 
heard  what  the  great  (Japtain  had  said  to  them,  and 
that  the  words  of  their  white  Brother  were  good; 
that  they  were  thankful  to  their  Father,  the  great 
King,  for  the  presents  he  had  sent,  and  for  his  kind 
words  about  the  loss  of  the  Half-King.  The  Indians 
would  be  the  friends  of  their  Engli;.h  brothers,  and 
would  take  up  the  hatchet  against  the  French;  they 
would  do  all  they  could,  and  would  furnish  scouts  to 
go  into  the  country  and  see  what  their  enemies  were 
doing,  and  speedily  bring  them  news.  The  warriors 
theii  sung  their  war  soi;^,  dancing  wildly,  and 
chanting  the  deeds  by  which  they  promised  to 
distinguish  themselves,  when  led  against  the  French. 
The  General  afterwards  took  them  to  that  part  of  the 
Fort  where  the  artillery  was  in  position,  which  they 
examined  with  a  great  deal  of  curiosity,  never  before 
having  seen  any  of  these  engines  of  war.  He  then 
ordered  the  gunners  to  fire  three  12-pounden,  three 
howitzers  and  three  cohorns,  the  drums  and  fifes 
playing  and  "beating  the  point  of  war."  The 
explosion  caused  by  the  discharge  of  nine  big  guns 
startled  the  Indians  greatly,  and  excited  their 
liveliest  admiration.  They  afterwards  approached 
the  cannon  with    great    caution,  peered  into  their 


126 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1755, 


*  I    i  I 
1 1  'i^ 


muzzles,  and  walked  all  about  them,  meantime 
gesticulating  and  making  comments  to  each  otlier 
upon  these  wonderful  engines.  After  this  display 
the  warriors  returned  to  their  own  camp.  The 
General  sent  them  a  bullock,  which  they  roasted, 
and  they  had  a  great  feast,  upon  the  conclusion  of 
which  they  gathered  about  the  tire,  and  danced  their 
war  dance,  the  warriors  being  decked  in  their 
feathers  and  hideous  .  n  their  war  paint.  The  officers 
from  the  Fort  attended  this  affair,  and  were  quite  as 
m  ich  impressed  by  the  wild  antics  of  the  Red  Men. 
as  they  went  through  the  vaunting  exhibition  of 
their  deeds  in  war,  fighting  and  scalping  their 
enemies,  as  were  the  savages  by  the  tli  under  of  the 

Throughout  almost  half  the 
was  this  wild  riot  kept  up,  the  forests 
resounding  with  the  terrible  din  of  the  rude  drums 
and  the  yells  and  howls  of  the  seemingly  tireless 
dancers.  Braddock  had  never  before  witnessed  a 
scene  like  this,  and  he  seemed  to  regard  the  painted 
sons  of  the  forest  as  so  many  demons  let  loose  from 
the  infernal  regions,  and  looked  upon  the  weird 
ceremonies  with  mingled  awe  and  amusement 
While  he  beheld  in  them  untutored  children  of  the 
wilderness,  evidently  strangers  to  fear,  and  filled 
with  a  desire  for  heroic  deeds,  he  regarded  them  with 
a  degree  of  contempt,  because  of  their  total  ignorance 
of  discipline,  and  those  rules  of  obedience  and 
unanimity,  which  he  knew  were  necessary  to  render 
effective  the  soldiers  of  civilized  nations.  He  had 
now  established  the  most  friendly  relations  witli 
them,    and  hoped  to   make  them    useful   as  scouts 


big  guns  of  the  Fort, 
night 


m  I 


1755.] 


AFFAIRS  AT  FORT  CUMBERLAND. 


12; 


and  messengers,    to    ascertain   the    condition    and 
movements  of  the  enemy. 

The  women  and  children  were  a  few  days  hiter 
sent  back  to  Aughquick,  and  White  Thunder 
and  all  but  eight  of  the  warriors  went  along 
for  the  purpose  of  protecting  them,  promising  to 
return  in  a  few  days.  At  the  same  time,  the  three 
Delaware  chiefs  from  the  Ohio  returned  to  their 
village,  for  the  purpose,  as  they  alleged,  of  gathering 
together  their  warriors,  and  promised  to  join  the 
command  further  west.  None  of  them  ever  returned. 
Those  who  remained  were  Scarooyadi,  and  his  son; 
Cashuwayon,  Frason,  Kahuktodon,  Allscheeokatha, 
Dyoquario.  and  Kash-wugh-daniunto.  The  bad  faith 
of  the  Indians  who  thus  deserted  caused  the  writer  of 
the  Seamen's  Journal  to  declare  that  they  wer<» 
"villains,  and  always  side  with  the  strongest." 
Previous  to  their  departure  they  had  become  so 
addicted  to  the  excessive  use  of  rum  that  it  became 
necessary  to  issue  stringent  orders  forbidding  any 
person  to  furnish  them  with  spirits,  under  the 
severest  penalty  a  court-martial  could  inflict. 

Braddock  had  expected  to  spend  only  a  few  days 
at  Fort  Cumberland,  in  preparing  for  his  march  to 
the  West,  but  he  was  unavoidably  delayed,  by  the 
non-arrival  of  the  wagons  and  stores  promised,  which 
were  anxiously  looked  for  day  after  day. 

He  was  by  this  time  out  of  all  patience,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  delay  he  was  subjected  to,  on  account 
of  the  failure  to  secure  the  transportation  .and  stores 
he  leemed  necessary.  He  made  no  allowance  for 
the  difficulties  in  the  way,  and  expected  to  obtain 


128 


HISTORY   OF    CUMBP:RLAND 


[1755. 


everything  in  this  new  country  with  the  same 
facility  as  at  home.  lie  denounced  the  contractors 
as  swindlers  and  frauds,  and  in  his  anger  applied  the 
harshest  epithets  to  all  the  officials  of  the  Colonies, 
and  the  inhabitants  generally.  Washington  had  a 
clearer  conception  of  the  difficulties  to  be  overcome, 
and  he  defended  his  countrymen  against  the  attacks 
of  the  General,  often  becoming  quite  vehement  in 
his  defense.  Notwithstanding  these  affiiirs  of  the 
moment,  the  warm  friendship  between  them  remained 
unbroken,  and  WashingVjn  felt  himself  warranted  in 
urging  Braddock  to  abandon  the  idea  of  takin;.' 
with  him  a  long  train  of  wagons,  which  he  said 
would  render  their  march  slow  and  tedious,  and 
involve  the  loss  of  much  precious  time.  He  advised 
the  transfer  of  stores  from  wagons  to  the  backs  of 
horses,  which  he  thought  could  be  more  readilv 
obtained,  and  would  relieve  them  of  much  incon- 
venience in  traveling  over  the  rugged  mountain.^. 
and  roughly-built  roads,  which  lay  between  Fort 
(Jumberland  and  Fort  Duquesne.  Braddock,  however, 
could  not  be  brought  to  accept  the  suggestions  thus 
made,  and  persisted  in  his  scheme  of  transporting 
the  stores  in  wagons.  He  had  the  utmost  confidence 
in  his  own  judgment,  and  in  the  invincibility  of  his 
officers  and  men. 

This  fact,  together  with  his  refusal  to  consult  the 
chiefs  who  had  come  to  the  Fort,  in  all  matters 
pertaining  to  the  campaign,  was  doubtless  the  cause 
of  the  departure  of  most  of  the  warriors.  They  felt 
hurt,  and  indignant  that  they  should  be  regarded  of 
so  little  importance  in  the  councils,  and   to  Croghan 


1755.] 


AFFAIRS    AT    FORT   CUMBERLAND. 


129 


they  had  protested  loudly.  Washington  and  Croghan 
had  both  solicited  more  consideration  for  them  at  the 
hands  of  the  General,  but  he  could  never  be  brought 
to  yield  to  their  entreaties.  Both  were  discouraged, 
and  knowing  their  cause  of  grievance,  were  not 
surprised  when  the  chiefs  found  a  convenient  excuse 
for  taking  their  departure.  Braddock's  Secretary, 
William  Shirley,  was  impressed  by  his  conduct  to 
to  such  an  extent  that  he  wrote  to  Governor  Morris, 
of  Pennsylvania,  in  very  uncomplimentary  terms, 
saying:  "We  have  a  General  most  judiciously  chosen 
for  being  disqualified  for  the  service  he  is  employed 
in,  in  almost  every  respect.  *  •'s  *  j  ^jj^  j^q^ 
greatly  acquainted  myself  with  Ii»dian  Affairs,  tho' 
enough  to  see  that  better  measures  with  regard  to  'em 
might  and  ought  to  have  been  taken,  at  least  to  the 
Soutliwd.  *  '•'■  *  Upon  our  arrival  at  this  Fort, 
we  found  Indian  Affairs  so  ignorantly  conducted  by 
Colonel  Innes,  to  whom  they  were  committed,  that. 
Novices  as  we  were,  we  have  taken  'em  into  our 
management."  Alluding  to  Braddock's  officers  he. 
said:  "As  to  them  I  don't  think  we  have  much  to 
boast.  Some  are  insolent  and  ignorant;  others 
capable,  but  rather  aiming  at  showing  their  own 
abilities  than  making  a  proper  use  of  them." 

The  impatience  of  the  General  over  the  delay  in 
furnishing  supplies  led  him,  on  the  10th  of  May,  to 
i^end  Captain  Leslie,  Sir  John  St.  Clair's  assistant, 
into  Pennsylvania  to  purchase  forage.  On  the  20th 
eighty  wagons  arrived  at  the  Fort,  to  be  used  in  the 
expedition,  and  eleven  wagons  loaded  with  supplies 

for  the  officers.     He   had   now  about  two  hundred 

17 


130 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


wagons  and  six  liuiulred  pack-horses,  and  made 
preparations  for  an  early  start. 

In  the  Seaman's  Journal  it  is  stated  tliat 
"there  were  one  hundred  carpenters  employed,  under 
the  carpenter  of  the  'Sea-Horse,'  in  building  a 
Magazine,  completing  a  Flatt,  and  squaring  timber  to 
build  a  bridge  over  Will's  Creek;  the  Smiths  in 
making  tools;  the  Bakers  baking  biscuits;  and  Com- 
missaries getting  the  provisions  ready  for  marching." 
This  magazine  was  built  in  the  North-west  corner  of 
the  Fort,  but  the  bridge  over  Will's  Creek  was  never 
erected,  or,  if  it  was,  no  record  or  trace  of  it  has  been 
left.  There  was  a  ford  just  under  the  Fort  and 
directly  East  of  it,  which  was  passable  at  all  times 
except  during  high  water. 

Two  companies  of  Sir  Peter  Ilalket's  rcgiment. 
under  connnand  of  Major  Chapman,  and  ii  troop  of 
light  horse,  arrived  from  Winchester  on  the  21st. 
and  went  into  camp. 

In  addition  to  the  wagons  and  horses  received,  tlio 
supply  of  provisions  on  hand  and  on  their  way  to 
camp  was  sufficient  for  the  entire  camj)aign,  and  this 
once  more  restored  Braddock's  good  humor.  On  the 
2  2d  he  wrote  to  Governor  Sharpe,  of  Maryland,  the 
following  letter,  which  is  amongst  the  MSS.  in  the 
Maryland  Historical  Society: 


"Port  Cumbebi.anu,  May  22d,  1755. 


Sir: 


"  As  I  propose  soon  to  begin  my  march  for  Fort  Duquesne,  I  am 
desirous  of  adjusting  every  future  contingency  in  such  a  manner  to  avoid 
any  mistake  or  misunderstanding.  If  I  take  ye  Fort  in  its  present 
condition  I  shall  make  additions  to  it  as  I  shall  judge  necessary,  and 
shall  leave  the  Guns,  Ammunition  &  stores  belonging  to  ye  Fort  with  a 
Garrison  of  Virginia  and  Maryland  forces.     But  should  they,  as  I  have 


1755.] 


AFFAIUS   AT   FOKT   CUMBERLAND. 


131 


?  21st. 


3d,  the 


id  this 

dn  the 

id,  the 

in  the 

|1755. 

he,  I  nm 
I  to  avoid 
present 
fry,  and 
It  with  a 
I  have 


reason  to  apprehend  they  should,  ubandon  &  destroy  ye  Fortification  with 
its  Guns,  Ac,  I  will  repair  or  construct  some  place  of  defence  &  leave  a 
Garrison  ns  before.  But  as  to  the  Artillery,  ammunition,  stores, 
provisions,  &c.,  they  must  be  immediately  supply'd  by  ye  Governments  of 
Virgiiiiii,  Maryland  &  Pennsylvania,  separately  or  jointly  according  to  ye 
agrecraetit  made  at  Alexandria.  And  that  I  may  not  by  delays  in  yours 
or  the  other  Governments  be  detained  so  long  as  to  frustrate  any  other 
(iesifiiis  for  this  year  1  must  beg  that  you  will  have  all  these  things  in 
readiness  to  be  forwarded  to  ye  B'ort,  escorted  by  your  militia.  A  proper 
quantity  of  Flower  &  Meal  should  be  preparing  as  these  in  every  situation 
must  be  regarded  &  if  care  is  not  taken  to  send  these  convoys  the  men 
must  starve  &  his  Majesty's  arms  be  dishonored  (should  they  prove  success- 
ful) k  the  e.xpences  &,  Trouble  which  his  regard  for  the  colonies  have 
engaged  him  in  rendered  useless.  Some  Indians  lately  arrived  here  from 
the  French  fort,  mention  a  bravado  of  the  French  and  their  Indians  that 
they  propose  when  the  troops  are  far  advanc'd  to  fall  upon  this  back 
country  and  destroy  the  inhabitants.  Make  what  use  or  give  credit  to 
this  intelligence  as  you  please.  However,  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  take  all 
possible  precautions. 

"As  I  find  impracticable  to  take  my  chariot  with  me,  if  you  will  send 
for  it  and  ye  Harness  for  the  six  Horses  I  shall  be  much  obliged  to  you 
i  you  will  make  use  of  it  till  I  want  it.  I  shall  be  still  more  as  I  am  sure 
it  will  be  less  damaged  by  good  usage  than  by  lying  still ;  it  will  also 
save  you  the  trouble  of  sending  for  another  to  England,  as  it  shall  be  at 
your  service  at  your  own  price  when  I  leave  this  part  of  ye  world ;  let  your 
serv'ts  take  care  of  ye  harness,  and  have  it  oiled  if  you  don't  use  it.  I 
shall  leave  directions  to  Col.  Innes  to  deliver  chariot,  Harness,  spare 
axle-trees  and  pole  to  your  order. 

"I  am  Sir,  your  most  obedient  and 

"  Most  Humble  Servant 

"E.  BRAUDOCK." 

On  the  27th  the  commissaries,  one  of  whom  was 
Colonel  Cresap,  engaged  in  loading  one  hundred 
wagons  with  provisions,  in  readiness  for  the  march, 
and  a  guard,  under  command  of  a  Captain,  was  sent 
back  to  Winchester  to  escort  the  rations  then  on  their 
way  to  the  Fort.  A  number  ol'  Delaware  Indians 
came  to  the  camp  on  this  day,  and  wanted  an 
interview  with  the  General,  but  they  were  put  off 
until  the  morrow,  as  the   Indiana  of  that  tribe  were 


132 


UISTORY  OF  CUMBKKLANI). 


[1755. 


looked  upon  by  the  officerH  with  sus{)i('ioii.  Next  day 
they  went  to  the  GeneraFn  tent,  and  told  liim  they 
had  come  to  join  him  and  to  make  war  Ji<2;ainst  the 
French,  and  asked  him  what  lie  intended  to  do.  He 
told  them  he  would  march  in  a  few  days  to  attack 
Fort  Duquesne,  and  thanked  them  for  coming  to  join 
him.  These  warriors  got  out  of  camp  at  the  first 
opportunity,  and  doubtless  returned  to  the  French. 

On  the  29th  Major  Chapman  marched  towards 
Fort  Duquesne,  with  500  men,  two  pieces  of  artillery, 
and  a  provision  train  of  fifty  wagons.  Sir  John  St. 
Clair,  with  Mr.  Spendelow,  two  engineers,  six  soldiers 
and  two  Indians,  accompanied  them,  the  men  to  be 
employed  in  repairing  the  road. 

On  the  30th  Captain  Dobbs,  with  a  comjDany  from 
North  Carolina,  arrived.  Washington  also  returned 
to  camp  from  Winchester,  having  in  charge  <£4,()0I) 
in  money  for  use  of  the  army,  which  Braddock  liail 
sent  him  for.  In  speaking  of  this  matter,  Washington 
wrote,  a  week  later,  to  Mr.  William  Fairfax,  as 
follows : 

"Camp  at  Will's  Crkek,  7  June,  1755. 
"Sir:  1  arrived  with  my  charge  safe  in  camp  on  the  .30th  of  last 
month,  after  wasting  a  day  and  part  of  another  in  Winchester,  expecting 
the  cavalry  to  escort  me  up  ;  in  which  being  disappointed  I  was  obliged 
to  make  use  of  a  small  guard  of  the  militia  of  Frederick  county.  The 
(ieneral,  from  frequent  breaches  of  contract,  has  lost  all  patience; 
and  for  want  of  that  temper  and  moderation  which  should  be  used  by  a 
man  of  sense  upon  these  occasions,  will,  I  fear,  represent  us  in  a  light  we 
little  deserve ;  for,  instead  of  blaming  the  individual,  as  he  ought,  he 
charges  all  his  disappointments  to  public  supineness,  and  looks  upon  the 
country,  I  believe,  as  void  of  honor  and  honesty.  We  have  frequent 
disputes  on  this  head,  which  are  maintained  with  warmth  on  both  sides, 
especially  on  his,  as  he  is  incapable  of  arguing  without  it,  or  giving  up 
any  point  he  asserts,  be  it  ever  so  incompatible  with  reason  or  common 
sense. 


1755.] 


AFFAIRS    AT   FORT   CUMBERLAND. 


13/ 


"A  line  of  communication  is  to  be  opened  from  Pennsylvania  to  the 
French  fort  Dutjucsne,  along  which,  afker  a  little  time  wo  are  to  receive 
all  our  convovH  of  people,  who  oujrht  rather  to  be  chastised  for  their 
jnscnHibilitv  to  danger,  and  disregard  of  their  sovereign's  expecta- 
tions. They,  it  seems,  are  to  be  the  favored  people,  because  they  have 
furnishrd  what  their  absolute  interest  alone  induced  them  to  do,  that  is 
one  hundred  and  fifty  wagons  and  an  equivalent  number  of  horses. 

"Major  Chapman,  with  a  detachment  of  five  hundred  men,  and  the 
quarter  master  General,  marched  twi)  or  three  days  before  I  arrived  here, 
to  open  the  road,  and  lay  in  a  deposite  of  provision  at  a  small  fort  which 
they  lire  to  erect  at  the  Little  Meadows. 

"To  morrow  Sir  Peter  Halket,  with  the  first  brigade,  is  to  begin  his 
march,  and  on  Monday,  the  General,  with  the  second,  is  to  follow.  One 
hosjiital  is  filled  with  sick,  and  the  numbers  increase  daily  with  the  bloody 
(lu.v,  which  has  not  yet  proved  mortal  to  many. 

♦  ***#*  *  #  ■» 

*'  I  am  sir 

"Your  most  obdt  servt 

"gp:().  \v.\shington." 

Tlie  discipline  of  tho  cam])  was  made  more  .stringent 
every  day,  and  the  punishment  of  .soldiers  for  violating 
ordens  was  both  frequent  and  severe.  Strict  orders 
were  issued  against  gaming,  and  drunkenness,  each 
of  these  offences  being  punishable  with  two  hundred 
lashes,  without  so  much  as  a  trial.  Several  soldiers 
were  severely  dealt  with  for  theft  and  desertion,  and 
the  terror  of  an  unyielding  military  law  was  relied 
upon  to  keep  up  the  morale  of  the  army.  The 
Sabbath  day  was  also  observed,  and  religious  services 
held  regularly  on  Sunday  mornings  by  the  Chaplains 
of  the  regiments.  Braddock's  adherence  to  his  ideas 
of  thorough  discipline,  and  his  contempt  for  the  Indians 
as  warriors,  not  only  resulted  in  the  los,%'  of  the 
services  of  those  who  had  been  brought  him  by 
Croghan,  but  also  of  a  valuable  ally  in  the  person  of 
Captain  Jac'.,  who  was  a  well  known  scout,  and  who 


184 


HISTOKV  OF    CUMUEKLAND. 


[m, 


lollovvod  the  rnrliiiii  mode  of  warfare.  Captain  Jack 
conuiianded  a  coiupanv  of  dariii;^-  incii  like  Minsclf, 
who  were  familiar  with  tlie  woods,  and  witli  all  the 
Htratiigein.s  of  the  savages,  to  whom  they  liad  Ion; 
been  deadly  fm's.  His  family  had  Ix'en  munUrtd 
and  his  eabin  burned  by  a  party  of  Indians,  sonn 
time  before,  and  he  had  devoted  himself  to  aveii<;iiii; 
his  murdered  wife  and  children.  Tlis  deeds  of 
prowess  had  rendered  him  the  terror  of  the  Indians 
He  was  clad  in  their  garb,  slept  in  the  open  air,  was 
always  alert,  swift  and  certain  in  his  fatal  visits  tn 
their  haunts,  constantly  paying  the  debt  which  \w 
owed  them,  and  which  he  had  vowed  should  only  In 
cancelled  when  his  life  should  end.  His  home  was 
on  the  Juniata,  and  he  was  known  as  the  "Black 
Hunter."  The  alliance  of  this  powerful  trapjx'r-cliiit. 
and  his  men,  would  have  been  of  incalculali'i 
importance  to  Braddock,  and  their  services  wen 
freely  offered,  but  they  were  not  willing  to  submit  to 
the  regular  discipline  (>f  the  army.  For  this  reason 
their  ofler  was  rejected,  and  they  took  their  departuiv. 

When  everything  had  been  made  ready  for 
the  march  from  Fort  Cumberland,  the  General  seemed 
to  regret  somewhat  the  rough  speeches  he  had  made, 
regarding  the  country  and  the  jx'ople  generally,  under 
the  influence  of  his  disappointments,  though  he 
persisted  still  in  being  much  dissatisfied  with  tlu- 
coil  tractors,  whom  he  declared  had  no  patriotic 
impulses,  and  no  thought  other  than  to  put  money  in 
their  purses. 

Towards  Franklin  he  entertained  the  most  com- 
plimentary opinions,  and  before  leaving  he  wrote  to 


[17').').  ^H  lyr)').]  AFFAIKS    AT    KOKT   crMHKKf.ANI). 


135 


tin  Jmi 
lumsolf. 
I  all  till' 
lad  loiij; 
iiinlcrni 
iiH,  soini' 
ivengiii;; 
leeds   of 
Imliaiis. 
air,  w;i> 
viwits  til 
rhicli  lie 
I  only  1k' 
OHIO  was 
B  "Black 
|)or-cliiot. 
ik'ulaWt' 
08   were 
ulnnit  til 
is  reason 
>[)iirtiiiv. 
ady    for 
seemed 
,d  mack'. 
,  under 
ugh  lie 
ith  tl!.' 
)utriotit' 
loney  in 

it  coui- 
•rote  to 


the  Secretary  of  Stato  tlie  following  flattering  letter 
regarding  that  eminent  num : 

"Will's  Cukkk,  June  5,  llCtH. 

"Sir: 

"  BcCorL'  I  left  Williamsburg  the  Quarter  Master  (lencrul  told  me  that 
I  inifjht  depend  upon  twenty  five  liuiulred  horses  and  two  hundred  wagons 
from  \'irginia  and  Maryland  ;  but  I  had  great  rcasnn  to  doubt  it,  having 
experienced  the  false  dealings  oC  all  in  this  country  with  whom  I  had  been 
loncerned.  Hence,  before  my  departure  from  Frederick,  I  agreed  with 
Mr.  iU'UJHiiiin  Franklin,  Postmaster  in  Pennsylvania,  who  has  great  credit 
ill  that  Province,  to  send  here  one  hundred  and  fifly  wagons  and  the 
neressiiry  number  of  horses.  This  he  accomplished  with  promptitude 
and  lidelity,  and  it  is  almost  the  only  instance  of  address  and  integrity 
whirh  I  have  seen  in  all  these  jtrovinces." 

Everything  Ijeing  ready  for  the  advance,  the  arniy 
was  divided  into  three  divisions.  On  the  7th  of  June 
tiie  first  division,  under  Sir  Peter  Halket,  left  the 
canip  at  Fort  Cumberland ;  on  the  8th  the  second 
division,  under  the  conunand  of  Lieutenant-Colonel 
(lage,  of  the  44th  Regiment,  marched.  There  was 
left  in  eami)  then  only  a  snuiU  lunidjer  of  troops 
hesides  the  garrison  of  the  Fort.  An  order  htid  been 
issued  by  the  General,  on  the  2d,  appointing  Colonel 
Innes  Gcjvernor  of  the  Fort,  and  he  was  to  renuiin 
with  enough  of  the  colonial  volunteers  to  hold  the 
Fort  and  protect  the  country  about  it  from  the  enemy. 
The  large  number  of  women  in  camp,  wives  of  soldiers, 
who  could  be  of  no  service  on  the  march,  and  would 
tend  to  im})ede  the  advance  as  well  as  to  consume  the 
stores,  he  determined  to  get  rid  of,  and  therefore  sent 
twenty-four  of  them  l^ack  to  Philadelphia,  with  the 
following  letter  and  pass: 

"  Fort  CuMnERLANi),  June  Dth,  1755.  J__ 

"Sir;        _.;„   .  _, -  -  '       -  ■  -  _ 

''  I  have  found  it  necessary  to  discharge  a  number  of  women  who  are 
wives  to  soldiers  belonging  to  the  forces  under  my  command,  and   must 


136 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1755, 


beg  of  you  to  give  orders  that  they  be  subsisted  in  your  government; 
their  names  are  coTitained  in  the  Passes  I  hare  given  'em  for  their 
Protection,  and  I  have  taken  care  to  order  stoppages  to  be  made  of 
one-third  Part  of  their  Husbands'  Pay  to  defray  the  expense  of  tb«ir 
maintenance. 

"  I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

•'E.  BRADDOOK." 


"  By    his    Excellency  Edward   Braddock,   Esq,  General  and 
[L.  S.]         commander  in  chief  of  all  His  Majesty's  Forces  in  Norlli 

America. 
"  I  do  hereby  certify  that  the  Bearers,  Mary  Welch,  Elizabeth  Webster, 
Mary  Walker,  Mary  Crab,  Dorkey  Moreton,  Margaret  Wray,  Margaret 
Gates,  Catharine  McFarland,  Jane  Campbell,  Catharine  Watson,  Annip 
Manning,  Susanna  Duncan,  Annie  McDonald,  Mary  Ryo,  Margaret 
Doggett,  Elizabeth  Rickerby,  Annie  Anderson,  Jean  Anderson,  Marv 
Scott,  Annie  Totle,  Christiana  Ferga8on,Mary  Dimond,  Eleanor  Lemmon 
&  Sara  Lord  are  wives  to  soldiers  belonging  to  forces  under  mv 
command  ;  And  all  persons  whatsoever  are  hereby  required  to  sufier  'em 
to  pass  without  hindrance  or  molestation. 

"  Given  at  the  Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland,  the  9th  day  of  June,  175,1, 

"E.  BP.ADDOCK. 
"  By  His  Excellency's  Command, 
"W.  Shirley." 

Major  Chapman  had  marched  with  his  command, 
by  the  route  marked  out  by  Colonel  Cresap  and  the 
Indian  guide,  Nemacolin.  This  route  crossed  Wills 
Mountain,  as  heretofore  described,  by  way  of  Saiidv 
Gap.  Lieutenant  Spendelow,  of  the  Seamen,  who 
accompanied  Major  Chapman  on  his  first  day's  maroh. 
to  aid  in  clearing  the  road,  returned  to  the  camp. 
impressed  with  the  importance  of  discovering  a  less 
difficult  route,  and  taking  one  of  his  officers  and  a 
squad  of  men,  spent  several  days  in  examining  the 
country.  He  finally  concluded  that  a  much  more 
desirable  road  could  be  constructed  along  the  East 
bank  of  Will's  Creek,  through  the  "Narrows." 
whereby  he  would  be  enabled  to  strike  the  old  road. 


1755.] 


BRADDOCKS   ROUTE. 


137 


a  few  miles  beyond,  the  distance  being  increased  less 
than  two  miles.  His  advice  as  to  this  matter  was 
accepted,  and  a  road  was  built  at  once,  the  labor  not 
bnng  severe,  whereby  the  heavy  grades  were  entirely 
avoided,  to  the  great  relief  of  the  transportation 
depart II lent.  The  troops  that  left  the  Fort  after 
Major  Chapman's  departure  took  the  new  route, 
which  was  used  altogether  in  the  movements  of  the 
army  aftcrw^ards.  This  route  is  shown  on  the  map 
here  given,  as  well  as  the  original  road,  which 
was  located  by  Mr.  T.  C.  Atkinson,  an  engineer 
of  great  ability  and  the  nicest  accuracy,  who 
was  employed  in  the  survey  of  the  Baltimore  and 
Ohio  Railway,  and  who  spent  considerable  time  in 
the  examination  of  Braddock's  route,  and  the  traces 
still  left  in  1850  in  the  forests.  The  map  as  pre- 
pared by  Mr.  Middleton  showed  only  the  route  over 
the  mountain  west  of  Will's  Creek.  The  author  has 
added  thereto  a  line  showing  the  new  road  opened  by 
Lieutenant  Spendelow  through  the  "Narrows.''  and 
joining  the  other,  five  miles  north  of  Fort  Cumberland. 
The  map  as  now  given  may  be  confidently  accepted 
as  perfectly  accurate,  in  every  respect.  The  route 
through  the  "Narrows"  was  eventually  adopted  by 
United  States  engineers  in  locating  the  great  National 
Road,  which,  however,  was  made  to  cross  Will's  Creek 
at  the  entrance  to  the -'Narrows,"  and  to  skirt  the 
mountain  on  the  west  side  of  the  gorge  instead  of 
the  east.  Lieutenant  Si)endelow's  road  skirted  the 
margin  of  Will's  Creek,  along  the  eastern  base  of  the 
cliffs  of  the  "Narro^vs"  until  this  wonderful  gorge 

was  passed;  it  then  crossed  the  creek  just  above  the 

18 


138 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


mouth  of  Braddock's  Run,  and  followed  the  course 
of  the  Run,  crossing  it  at  times,  and  in  some 
instances  taking  the  bed  of  the  stream.  It  joined 
the  other  road  near  the  Everstine  place,  five  miles 
west  of  the  Fort.  Braddock's  Run  received  its  name 
from  this  circumstance,  .and  still  retains  it. 

The  task  of  building  Lieutenant  Spendelow's  now 
road  was  begun  on  the  3d  of  .Tune,  when  an  engineer 
and  120  men  went  to  work  on  it,  and  completed 
about  one  mile  a  day,  until  the  7th,  at  which  time 
Sir  Peter  Halket's  division  marched;  en  the  8tli 
Cage's  division  followed,  and  on  the  10th  DunbarV 
division  left  the  Fort,  bringing  up  the  rear.  Braddock 
accompanied  Dunb.ar's  command,  and  Fort  Cunil)er- 
land  was  left  with  a  small  detachment  of  able  men. 
under  Colonel  Innes.  Quite  a  number  of  men  were 
left  in  the  hospitals  here,  besides  several  officers. 
amongst  them  Commodore  Keppel,  the  commanderof 
the  British  fleet.  Most  of  them  were  suffering  from 
the  bloody  flux,  w  hich  disease  proved  fatal  to  several 
soldiers,  after  only  a  short  illness. 

The  difficulties  of  the  march  soon  brought 
the  General  to  appreciate  the  apprehensions  of 
Washington;  the  steep  mountains,  rocky  roads,  and 
ugly  ravines,  incident  to  this  new  country  were  all 
beyond  his  anticipations.  It  became  necessary  to 
double  up  the  teams  in  order  to  pull  the  wagons  up 
the  rough  grades ;  in  some  instances  even  this  was 
impracticable,  the  seamen  being  obliged  to  draw 
them  up  by  means  of  ropes  and  pulleys.  Not  moiv 
than  three  or  four  miles  a  day  could  be  made,  and  in 
order  to  avoid  a  further  delay,  where  already  weeks 


1 755.] 


BRADDOCKS   ROUTE. 


139 


of  precious  time  bad  been  lost,  Braddock  eventually 
viddi'd  to  Washington's  advice,  and  sent  back  many 
ol"  his  wagons,  taking  the  animals  for  pack  horses,  and 
transporting  his  stores  in  the  only  practicable 
maiiiKT.  The  artillery  was  a  source  of  great  trouble; 
although  the  guns  were  of  small  calibre,  yet  they 
could  not  be  left,  and  the  army  struggled  on,  day 
after  day,  making  only  short  marches. 

Braddock's  route  has  been  discussed  and  speculated 
upon  to  an  extraordmary  extent,  and  was  for  many 
years  not  very  clearly  defined.  In  "The  Olden 
Time,"  an  interesting  collection  of  papers  relative  to 
the  history  of  the  settlement  and  improvement  of  the 
country  about  the  headwaters  of  the  Ohio,  is  a  very 
satisfactory  description  of  this  route,  written  from 
Cumberland,  by  Mr.  T.  C.  Atkinson,  in  1847,  which 
is  undoubtedly  more  correct  than  any  other  ever 
published,  and  this  document  is  given  here  in  full : 
braddock's  routj:  to  the  battle  of  the  monongahela. 

"The  interest  with  which  the  routes  of  celebrated 
expeditions  are  regarded,  and  the  confusion  which 
attends  them  after  the  lapse  of  years,  is  well 
exemplified  in  the  case  of  Hannibal,  whose  march 
towards  Rome,  in  order  to  divert  their  army  from 
tiie  siege  of  Capua,  was  totally  lost  in  the  course  of  a 
few  centuries.  The  constant  blunders  of  Livy  in 
copying  first  from  one  writer,  and  then  from  another 
who  made  him  take  a  different  path,  justify  a  recent 
English  historian  who  went  to  Italy  to  see  the  ground 
tor  himself,  in  saying  that  the  Punic  war  was  almost 
iis  hard  in  the  writing  as  the  fighting. 

''As  the  time  is  coming  when  the  road  by   which 


140 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


the  unfortunate  Braddock  marched  to  his  disastrous 
field,  will  be  invested  with  antiquarian  interest, 
akin  to  that  attending  Hannibal's  route,  or  rather  the 
via  scelerata,  by  which  the  Fabian  family  marched 
out  of  Rome,  I  have  thought  it  time  not  idly  spent  to 
attempt  to  pursue  its  scattered  traces  as  far  as  it  is 
in  my  power,  among  more  pressing  occupations.  In 
this  sketch  I  do  not  design  to  pursue  it  to  its  extent. 
but  only  to  identify  it  in  those  parts  where  it  haj! 
been  convenient  for  me  to  visit  it,  and  in  others  to 
shadow  out  its  general  direction.  Where  it  is 
obscure  I  hope  to  have  opportunities  to  examine  it 
at  a  future  day. 

"Of  the  well  conducted  expedition  of  Col.  Boquet. 
and  its  precise  path,  the  publications  of  Mr.  Hutchins, 
the  geographer,  who  was  one  of  the  engineers,  leaves 
us  very  well  informed.  It  is  })resumable  that  similar 
details  would  be  found  of  the  march  of  1755,  if  it  liml 
had  a  successful  termination.  The  three  engineers 
who  were  in  the  field  were  wounded;  and  it  is 
probable  their  papers  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy, 
or  were  lost  in  the  fight. 

"General  Braddock  landed  at  Alexandria  on  the 
20th  of  February,  1755.  The  selection  of  this  port 
for  the  debarcation  of  the  troops  was  censured  at  the 
time,  though  it  is  probable  it  had  the  approval  of 
Washington.  The  two  Regiments  he  brought  with 
him  were  very  defective  in  numbers,  having  but 
about  500  men  each,  and  it  was  expected  their 
ranks  would  be  recruited  in  America.  It  is  sho\vn 
by  the  repeated  requests  on  this  point  made  by  the 
General  at  Cumberland,  that  this  expectation  wac 


1755.] 

vain.    A 

the  Royf 

route  on 

Frederic! 

Wincliesl 

the  9th  o: 

master  G( 

two  wee} 

"The  a 

I)ronoiinc( 

the  spelli 

ments,)    { 

following 

of  the  Pot( 

The  water 

as  the  sp( 

army  havi 

4th  or  5th 

"Thear 

with  a  slig 

South  Brai 

that  time 

having  dro 

name.     Tl 

the  Ferry 

the  reside] 

settler,  anc^ 

The  road  ] 

and  at  the 

of  Will's  M 


•This  is  an  error,  a 
referred  to  must  ha 
w  be  passed  by  Bradi 


1755.] 


BRADDOCK  S    ROUTE. 


141 


vain.  After  numerous  delays,  and  a  conference  with 
the  Royal  Governors,  we  find  General  Braddock  en 
route  on  the  24th  of  April,  when  he  had  reached 
Fredericktown  in  Maryland.  Passing  thence  through 
Winchester,  Va.,  he  reached  Fort  Cumberland  about 
the  9th  of  May.  Sir  John  St.  Clair,  Deputy  Quarter- 
master General,  had  preceded  him  to  this  point  about 
two  weeks. 

"The  army  struck  the  Little  Cacapehon  (though 
pronounced  Cacapon,  I  have  used  for  the  occasion 
the  spelling  of  Washington,  and  various  old  docu- 
ments,) about  six  miles  above  its  mouth,  and 
following  the  stream,  encamped  on  the  Virginia  side 
of  the  Potomac,  preparatory  to  crossing  into  Maryland. 
The  water  is  supposed  to  have  been  high  at  the  time, 
as  the  spot  is  known  as  the  Ferry  Fields,  from  the 
army  having  been  ferried  over.  This  was  about  the 
4th  or  5th  of  May. 

"The  army  thence  pursued  the  banks  of  the  river, 
with  a  slight  deviation  of  route  at  the  mouth  of  the 
South  Branch,  to  the  village  of  Old  Town,  known  at 
that  time  as  the  Shawnee  Old  Town,  modern  use 
having  dropped  the  most  characteristic  part  of  the 
name.  This  place,  distant  about  eight  miles  from 
the  Ferry  Fields,  was  known  at  that  early  day  as 
the  residence  of  Col.  Thomas  Cresap,  an  English 
settler,  and  the  father  of  the  hero  of  Logan's  speech. 
The  road  proceeded  thence  parallel  with  the  river 
and  at  the  foot  of  the  hills,  till  it  passes  the  Narrows 
of  Will's  Mountain,*  when  it  struck  out  on  a  shorter 


'This  if) HD  error,  as  Will's  Mountsin  is  beyond  the  site  of  Fort  Cumberland,  and  the  mountain 
referred  to  must  have  been  Evitt's  Mountain,  which  is  Boutb  East  of  Cumberland,  and  had 
to  be  passed  by  Braddock  before  reaching  Will's  Creek. 


142 


HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND. 


[17o 


O'J, 


line  coincident  with  the  present  connty  road,  and 
lying  hetween  the  railroad  and  the  mountain,  to 
Fort  Cumberland. 

"From  the  Little  Cacapehon  to  this  point  the 
ground  was  comparatively  easy,  and  the  road  had 
been  generally  judiciously  chosen.  Thenceforward 
the  character  of  the  ground  was  altered,  not  so  nnich 
in  the  general  aspect  of  the  country,  as  that  the 
march  was  about  to  a])andon  the  valleys,  and  now 
the  real  difficulties  of  the  expedition  may  be  said  to 
commence. 

"The  Fort  had  been  conmienced  the  previous 
year,  after  the  surrender  at  the  Great  Meadows,  In 
Colonel  Innes,  who  had  with  him  two  independent 
companies  of  New  York  and  South  Carolina.  It 
mounted  ten  four  pounders,  besides  swivels,  and  wa^ 
favoral>ly  situated  to  keep  the  hostile  Indians  in 
check. 

"The  army  now  consisted  of  1000  regulars,  oil 
sailors,  and  1200  provincials,  besides  a  train  ot 
artillery.  The  provincials  were  from  New  York 
and  Virginia;  one  company  from  the  former  colony 
was  commanded  by  Captain  Gates,  afterwards  the 
hero  of  Saratoga.  On  the  8th  of  June,  Braddock 
having,  through  the  interest  and  exertions  of  Dr. 
Franklin,  principally,  got  150  wagons  and  2000 
horses  from  Pennsylvania,  was  ready  to  march. 

"Scarooyadi,  successor  to  the  Half. King  of  the 
Senecas,  and  Monacatootha,  whose  acquaintance 
Washington  had  made  on  the  Ohio,  on  his  mission  to 
Le  Boeuf,  with  about  150  Indians,  Senecas  and 
Delaw^ares,  accompanied  him.     George  Croghan,  the 


i*'^iwii^t2;:-':- 


1755.] 


IJUADDOCK  S    ROUTt:. 


143 


Indian  Agent  of  Pennsylvania,  and  a  friendly  Indian 
of  great  value,  called  Susquehanna  Jack,  were  also 
with  him.* 

"Tiie  first  brigade  under  Sir  Peter  Halket  led  the 
way  on  the  8th,  and  on  the  9th  the  main  body 
lolk)wc'd.f  Some  idea  of  the  difficulties  they 
encountered,  may  be  had  when  we  perceive  they 
.spent  the  third  night  only  five  miles  from  the  first. 
Tlie  place  of  encampment,  which  is  abont  one  third 
of  a  mile  from  the  toll-gate  on  the  National  Road,  is 
marked  by  a  copious  spring  bearing  Braddock's  name. 

"For  reasons  not  easy  to  divine,  the  route  across 
Will's  Mountain,  first  adopted  for  the  National  Road 
was  selected,  instead  of  the  more  favorable  one 
throuiih  the  narrows  of  Will's  Creek,  to  which  the 
road  has  been  changed  within  a  few  years,  for  the 
purpose  of  avoiding  that  formidable  ascent.  The 
traces  are  very  distinct  on  the  East  and  West  slopes, 
the  modern  road  crossing  it  frequently.  From  the 
Western  foot,  the  route  continued  up  Braddock's 
Run  to  the  forks  of  the  stream,  where  Clary's  Tavern 
now  stands,  9  miles  from  Cumberland,  when  it 
turned  to  the  left,  in  order  to  reach  a  point  on  the 
ridge  favorable  to  an  easy  descent  into  the  valley  of 
George's  Creek.  Tt  is  surprising  that  having  reached 
this  high  ground,  the  favorable  spur  by  which  the 
National  Road  accomplishes  the  ascent  of  the  Great 
Savage  Mountain,  did  not  strike  the  attention  of  the 


•iMr.  AtUiiiRon  is  in  error  in  this.  Tlie  Indians,  as  before  ntated  in  tliis  worlt,  Imd  nearly  all 
left  liraddock.  and  'Susquehanna  Jack"  is  doubtless  the  celebrated  "Captain  Jack"  or  the 
"Black  Hunter,"  who  was  not  an  Indian  at  all,  hut  a  white  man  with  probably  some  baser  blood 
iDhin  veins,  and  will)  commanded  a  party  of  wild  trappers  like  himself,  whose  services  were 
rejwteii  bv  liinddock  because  they  wanted  too  much  liberty  to  suit  bis  views. 

tTlieae  dates  are  incorrect,  as  will  be  seen  by  comparing  them  with  those  given  in  previous 
ptgtia  of  this  book. 


144 


HISTORY  OF    CUMBERLAND. 


[175r), 


17W.] 


'm 


engineers,  as  the  labor  requisite  to  surmount  the 
barrier  from  the  deep  valley  of  George's  Creek,  must 
have  contributed  greatly  to  those  bitter  com})]aiiit,< 
which  IJraddock  made  agjiinst  the  Coloniid  Govern- 
ments for  their  failure  to  assist  him  more  eflectivelj 
in  the  transportation  department. 

"Passing  then  a  mile  to  the  South  of  PVosthurj:, 
the  road  approaches  the  East  foot  of  Savage  Mountain, 
which  it  crosses  about  one  mile  S<mth  of  tlie  Natioiiiil 
Road,  and  thence  by  very  favorable  ground  thr()u;:li 
the  dense  forests  of  white  pine  j)eculiar  to  this  region, 
it  got  to  the  North  of  the  National  Road,  near  the 
gloomy  tract  called  the  'Shades  of  Death.'  Thiswa,v 
the  15th  of  June,  when  the  dense  gloom  of  tin 
summer  woods,  and  the  favorable  shelter  which  those 
enormous  pines  would  give  an  Indian  enemy,  mu.^t 
have  made  a  most  sensible  impression  on  all  miml.>;, 
of  the  ii  .ecurity  of  their  mode  of  advance. 

"This  doubtless  had  a  share  in  causing  tlu 
c(juncil  of  war  held  at  the  Little  Meadows  next  day. 
To  this  place,  distant  only  about  twenty  milep  from 
Cumberland,  Sir  John  St.  Clair  and  Major  Chapman 
had  been  dispatched  on  the  27th*  of  May,  to  ])uilda 
fort;  the  army  having  been  7  days  in  reaching  it, 
it  follows  as  the  line  of  march  was  upwards  of  three 
miles  long,  the  rear  was  just  getting  under  wa\  ^  H 
when  the  advance  were  lighting  their  evening  fires. 


"Here  it  may  be  well  enough  to  clear  up  an 
obscurity  which  enters  into  many  narratives  of  these 
early  events,  from  confusing  the  names  of  the  '  Little 
Meadows'  and  'Great  Meadows,'  'Little   Crossings 

*Tbi8  should  read,  iheSOtb  of  May. 


ami  "(J 
*'Th 
the  fool 
the    '(• 
west,  ai 


H 


Ca.ssclm 
and  i)\ 
Voughio 
miles  vvi 
(.'rossing 
"The 
with  a  |)i 

caiUKHl,  { 

was  resui 
tlie  Soutl 
of  Grants 
night  of  i 
not  been  i 
midway  t( 
the  2:]d. 
or  Fort  > 
inoniitaint 
ground  n 
keeping  oj 


owing  inl 
tlie  Cheat 
Voughioglj 

W^'ishingto 

•luinoDvilli 

'iiid  open  f 

'iiile  west  ( 
19 


1755.] 


BHAnmX^K  S    ROIITK. 


145 


antl'^Ji'tMt  CrossiiigH,'  whioli  aroall  (li.stiiict  localities. 

"Thf  'Little  Meadows'  have  been  dcsseribed  as  at 
the  foot  of  Meadow  Mountain;  it  is  well  to  note  that 
till'  '(ireat  Meswlows'  are  about  31  miles  i'urther 
wost,  and  near  the  east  foot  of  Laurel  Hill. 

"IJy  the  'Little  Crossings'  is  meant  the  Ford  of 
('a.ssclinan's  River,  a  tributary  of  the  Yougliiogheny ; 
and  by  the  'Great  Crossings'  the  passage  of  the 
Yougliiogheny  itself.  The  Little  Crossing  is  two 
iiiik's  west  of  the  Little  Meadows,  and  the  Great 
Crossing  17  miles  further  west. 

"The  conclusion   of  the  council   was  to  push  on 

with  a  picked  force  of  1200  men,  and  12  pieces  of 

cannon,  and  th(^  line  of  march,  now  more  compact, 

was  resumed  on  the  19th.     Passing  over  ground  to 

the  South  of  the  Little  Crossings,  and  of  the  village 

of  Grantsville,  v,  liicli  it  skirted,  the  army  spent  the 

night  of  the  21st  at  the  Bear  Camp,  a  locality  I  have 

not  been  able  to  identify,  but  suppt)se  it  to  be  about 

midway  to  the  Great  Crossings,  which  it  reached  on 

the  ^od.     The  route  thence  to  the  Great  Meadows, 

1)1'  Fort  Necessit}',  was  well  chosen,  though  over  a 

mountainous  tract,  conforming  very  nearly  to  the 

ground    now  occupied  by  the   National  Road,  and 

keeping  on  the  dividing  ridge  between  the  waters 

flowing  into  the  Youghioghenv  on  the  one  hand,  and 

the  Cheat  River  on  the  other.      Having  crossed  the 

Yougliiogheny,  we  are  now  on  the  classic  ground  of 

Washington's  early  career,  where  the  skirmish  with 

•Tuiuonville  and  Fort  Necessity,  indicate  the  country 

laid  open  for  them  in  the  previous  year.     About  one 

mile  west  of  the  Great  Meadows,  and  near  the  spot 
19 


14G 


HISTORY  OF    CUMBERLAND. 


[1755 


HOW  marked  as  Braddcjck's  (Iravo,  the  roiul  Htnick 
ofV  more  to  the  North-west,  in  order  to  reach  a  pnss 
throuj-h  Laurel  Hill,  that  would  enable  them  tn 
Htrike  the  Youghiogheny,at  a  point  aft^'rwards  known 
as  Stewart's  Crossing,  and  about  half  a  mile  Ixilow 
the  present  town  of  Connellsville.  This  part  of  the 
route  is  marked  by  the  farm  known  as  Mount 
Braddock.  The  second  crossing  of  the  Youghioglieiiy 
was  effected  on  the  )iOth  of  Jun(».  The  high  grounds 
intervening  between  the  river  and  its  next  tributary. 
Jacob's  Creek,  though  trivial  in  comparison  witli 
what  they  had  ah'eady  passed,  it  may  be  supiwsed. 
presented  serious  obstacles  to  the  troops,  worn  out 
with  previous  exertions.  On  the  3d  of  July  n 
council  of  war  was  held  at  Jacob's  Creek  to  consider 
the  propriety  of  bringing  forward  Cohmel  Dunhiii, 
with  the  reserve,  and  although  urged  by  Sir  .lolni 
St.  Clair  with,  as  one  may  suppose,  his  ehara^rteristic 
vehemence,  the  measure  was  rejected  on  snllieiont 
grounds.  From  the  crossing  of  Jacob's  Creek,  wliicli 
was  at  the  point  where  Welchhanse's  mill  now  st;ind\ 
about  one  and  half  miles  below  Mount  Pleasant,  the 
route  stretched  off  to  the  north,  crossing  the  Mount 
Pleasant  turnpike  near  the  village  of  the  same  iiiiinc. 
and  thence  by  a  more  westerly  course,  passing  the 
(Ireat  Sewickley  near  Painter  s  Salt  Works,  tliciia' 
South  and  West  of  the  Post-office  of  Madison  and 
Jacksonville,  it  reached  the  Brush  Fork  of  Turtle 
Creek.  It  must  strike  those  who  examine  the  map. 
that  the  route  for  some  distance,  in  the  rear  and 
ahead  of  Mount  Pleasant,  is  out  of  the  propii 
direction  for  Fort  Duquesne,  and  accordingly  we  find 


1755.] 


UUADDOCKS    ROUTE. 


147 


on  tlio  7tl»  of  July,  (Iciicrjil  Hr.^ldock  in  (loul)t  an  to 
his  jjioper  wjiy  of  proccodiiig.  The  crossing  of  Inrush 
Creek,  which  lie  had  now  reached,  appeared  to  be 
utteiuli'd  with  so  niueh  ha/ard,  that  parties  were 
sent  to  reconnoitre,  some  ol'  whom  advanced  ho  far  as 
to  kill  a  French  oificer  within  half  a  mile  of  Fcrt 
DiKjuesne. 

"Their  examinations  indnced  a  great  divergence 
to  the  left,  and  availing  himself  of  the  valle)'  of 
liOii}"'  Iliui,  which  he  tnrned  into,  as  is  supposed,  at 
Stewaitsville,  passing  by  the  place  now  known  as 
Siunpson's  Mill,  the  army  made  one  of  the  best 
inarches  of  the  campaign,  and  halted  for  the  night 
at  a  favorable  depression  between  that  stream  and 
(Jrookcd  Run,  and  about  two  miles  from  the 
Moiioiigahela.  At  this  spot,  about  four  miles  from 
the  battle  ground,  which  is  yet  well  known  as 
Braddoek's  Spring,  he  was  rejoined  by  Washington 
on  the  morning  of  the  0th  of  July. 

"The  approach  to  the  river  was  now  down  the 
valley  of  Crooked  Run  to  its  mouth,  where  the  point 
of  fording  is  still  manifest,  from  a  deep  notch  in  the 
west  bank,  though  rendered  somewhat  oljscure  by 
the  improved  navigation  of  the  river.  The  advance, 
iiiidor  Colonel  Gage,  crossed  about  8  o'clock,  and 
(ontiiuK'd  by  the  foot  of  the  hill  bordering  the  broad 
river  bottom  to  the  second  fording,  which  lie  had 
oll'ected  nearly  as  soon  as  the  rear  had  got  through 
the  first. 

"The  second  and  last  fording,  at  the  mouth  of 
Turtle  Creek,  was  in  full  view  of  the  enemy's 
position,  and  about  one  mile  distant.     By  1  o'clock 


148 


HISTORY    OF   CUMBEKLAND. 


[1755. 


the  whole  army  had  gained  the  right  hank,  and  AViis 
drawn  up  on  the  bottom  land,  near  Frazier's  houw'. 
(spoken  of  by  Washington,  as  his  stopping  place,  on 
his  mission  to  Le  Boeuf)  and  about  three  fourths  of 
a  mile  distant  from  the  ambuscade. 

"  The  advance  was  now  about  to  march,  and  wliilc 
a  part  of  the  army  was  yet  standing  on  the  plain, 
the  firing  was  heard.  Not  an  enemy  had  yet  boon 
seen." 

The  delays  to  which  the  army  was  subjected  on 
this  march  were  hirgely  attributable  to  the  oflHcers 
themselves,  including  the  General.  They  had  Iwon 
accustomed  to  a  rather  luxurious  mode  of  life,  in 
comfortable  nuarters,  and  on  this  occasion  secinid 
unable  to  divest  theuiselves  of  the  baggage  and 
appurtenances  which  such  sokliers  as  Washington 
looked  upon  with  contempt,  and  which  vvould  have 
caused  the  dismissal  of  an  oificer  who  would  have 
presumed  to  thus  overburden  the  (piarterniastoi- 
department  in  our  late  war,  when  tlie  Colonel  of  a 
regiment  was  frequently  recjuired  to  be  satisfied  with 
a  blanket  and  a  single  change  of  linen.  The  inarch 
to  Little  Meadows  occupied  seven  days,  and  the 
distance  was  barely  twenty  miles.  The  (u'lionil 
deti'rmined  to  get  rid  of  further  incumbraiu'cs  it 
possible,  whereupon  Washington  advised  him  to  scml 
back  more  A\agons  and  leduce  the  officers'  baggage; 
then  10  push  on  with  all  possil)le  speed  with  1200  of 
the  best  troops,  who  should  travel  as  light  as  possihk'. 
the  renijiinder  to  follow  with  the  wagtms.  Ihaddoik 
endeavored  to  follow  this  very  good  advice,  and  i^oiit 
forward    1200    men,  with  some   artillery,    the  pr<»- 


minjmi^aawia.-^- /i  i' ..'  ■  iag««aat&Mfir^;,aasav& , ^«,s;v:»hi«i ii«,-rA»8:,' h  a^ 


1755.] 


BRADDOCKS   ROUTE. 


141) 


visions  being  put  upon  p.ack  horso.s.  The  officerH, 
however,  reduced  their  baggage  very  little,  and 
W;ishingtt)n  was  the  only  one  of  the  number  who 
dispensed  with  everything  else  than  necessities. 

On  the  19th  the  command  left  Little  Meadows, 
and  the  Indians  were  sent  forward  as  scouts. 
Scarooyadi  and  his  son,  who  were  on  the  flank,  wer«^ 
taken  prisoners  by  a  party  of  French  and  Indians  who 
were  in  the  woods,  but  the  latter  effected  his  escape 
and  brought  intelligence  of  the  matter  to  the  other 
warriors,  who  instantly  started  in  hot  pursuit.  In  a 
sliort  time  they  found  the  sachem  bound  to  a  tree 
and  unharmed.  The  French  were  desirous  of  killing 
liim  when  he  was  taken,  but  io  this  the  Indians 
would  not  consent.  They  knew  Scarooyadi  and  held 
him  in  considerable  esteem,  otherwise  they  would  not 
have  intervened  to  save  him. 

Washington  had  been  for  some  time  feeling  unwell, 
and  every  day  he  grew  worse,  notwithstanding  the 
attentions  of  the  surgeon.  He  was  burning  with 
fever,  which  was  accompanied  with  severe  pains  in 
the  head,  and  he  had  to  abandon  his  horse  for  the 
ahnost  intolerable  discomforts  (jf  a  wagon  without 
springs.  Finally  th(>  jolting  he  was  subjected  to 
rendered  it  impossible  for  him  to  go  further,  and  he 
was  reluctantly  compelled  to  allow  the  army  to 
proceed  Avithout  him;  not  until  the  General  Iiad 
faithfully  promised,  however,  that  he  should  be  kept 
well  informed  of  their  movements,  and  brought  up  in 
time  to  participate  in  the  expected  engagement.  He 
stopped  at  the  Youghiogheny,  remaining  there 
several  days,  until  Dunbar  came  up,  by  wliich  time 


150 


HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


lie  was  able  to  resume  the  saddle,  and  soon  after- 
wards joined  the  General  a  few  miles  distant  from 
the  scene  of  the  battle  which  followed. 

From  the  time  of  leaving  Little  Meadows  hostile 
bands  of  Indians  hung  about  the  flanks  of  the  armj. 
on  one  occasion  killing  and  scalping  three  men. 
They  stole  the  horses  at  night,  carved  upon  the  l)ark 
of  the  trees  insulting  messages,  and  watched  tli'eir 
every  movement.  The  inscriptions  were  in  Frencli. 
showing  that  the  Indians  were  accompanied  l)v 
whites.  The  difficulties  of  the  march  seemed  to 
nuiltiply,  as  the  men  were  worn  down  with  fatigin', 
and  harrassed  by  an  unseen  enemj-,  against  whom 
they  had  constantly  to  be  on  guard. 

Bands  of  savages  made  their  way  back  towards  tin 
settlements,  wh«.re  they  created  great  consternation 
by  their  acts  of  inhumanity,  in  consequence  of  whiili 
the  aid  of  the  Maryland  Assembly  was  invoked.  On 
the  1st  of  July  Governor  Sharpe  sent  the  following 
address  to  that  body: 

"GeKT1,KMKN  of  THK  LoWKK  HoUSK  ok  As.SEMlil.Y  : 

"  I  luivo  just  rccoived  Letters  from  Colonel  Innea  at  Fort  Cumber 
land,  and  from  the  Back  Inhabitants  of  Frederick  County,  advisinfrnu. 
that  a  Party  of  French  Indians,  last  Monday  Morninp,  fell  on  tin 
Inhabitants  of  this  Province,  and  killed  two  Men  and  one  Woman  («ii 
have  been  since  found  dead);  eight  other  Persons  they  have  takffl 
Prisoners,  and  carried  off.  The)  Names  of  the  Persons  who  wet* 
murdered  and  left,  are  John  Williams,  his  Wife,  and  Grandson;  anJ 
with  their  Hodies  was  also  found  that  of  a  French  Iudi.it).  The  PtiS'ni! 
carried  off,  are  Richard  Williams  (a  Son  of  .John  who  was  munlereil 
with  two  Children,  one  Daw  on's  Wife,  and  four  Children.  Richd 
Williams's  Wife,  and  two  Brothers  of  the  young  Man  that  is  killed,  liau 
made  their  Ksoapc.  This  Accident,  I  find,  has  so  terrified  the  liisli".  j 
Inhabitants,  that  many  of  them  are  retiring,  and  forsaking  their  I'iiiiVJ 
tions. 

"  .\noiher  Letter    from    Winchester  in    Virginia    inlornn    ino,  tii:ii » 


1755.] 


''c 


BRADDOCK  S    ROUTE 


.51 


Parly  of  Indians  have  also  attacked  the  Back  Inhabitants  of  that 
Province,  of  whom  thov  have  killed  eleven,  and  carried  away  many 
Captives. 

"Apprehending  the  French  would  proceed  in  this  Manner,  as  soon  as 
(ioneral  Hriiddock,  and  the  Troops  under  his  Command,  should  have 
passed  the  Mountains,  and  being  confirmed  in  my  Opinion  by  an 
Intimiition  in  the  General's  Letter,  I  issued  a  Proclamation  near  a  Month 
since,  cautioning  the  distant  and  other  Inhabitants  of  this  Province,  to 
lip  on  their  rSuard,  and  unite  for  their  common  Defence  and  Safety;  at 
the  same  Time,  I  sent  peremptory  orders  and  instructions  to  the  officers 
of  the  Militia  of  Frederick  County,  frequently  to  Muster  and  discipline 
ilicir  several  Troops  and  Companies  once  a  Fortnight  at  least ;  and  in 
case  of  an  Alarm  that  the  Enemy  was  approaching,  or  had  fallen  on  the 
Inhabitants,  to  march  out  and  act  either  offensively  or  defensively,  and 
use  all  Means  to  protect  and  defend  the  Inhabitants  from  the  Devasta- 
tions of  the  French,  or  their  Indians  :  However,  I  find  neither  the  Proc- 
lamation or  Instructions  will  be  effectual  unless  the  Militia  can  be 
assured  that  they  shall  receive  Satisfaction  and  Pay  for  the  Time  that 
they  shall  be  out  on  Duty.  I  should  think  it  highly  proper  for  us  to  have 
about  a  Hundred,  or  at  least  a  Company  of  Sixty  Men,  posted,  or 
constantly  ranging,  for  some  Time  on  the  Frontiers,  for  our  Protection : 
in  this  I  desire  your  Advice,  and  that  you  will  enable  me  to  support  such 
u  number. 

"Gentlemen,  At  the  General's  Reriuest,  and  that  I  might  receive  early 
intelligence  at  this  Time  from  the  Camp  and  the  Back  Inhabitants,  1 
liave  engaged  several  Persons  betweeu  this  Place  and  Will's  Creek,  to 
receive,  and  speedily  convey  any  Letters  that  shall  come  to  them 
directed  for  the  General  or  myself;  I  doubt  not  you  will  be  convinced  of 
the  Necessity  of  such  a  Measure,  and  provide  for  the  Expence  thereof. 

"IIORO.  SHARPE." 

The  Assembly,  recognizing  the  importance  of 
prompt  action,  at  once  considered  the  address,  and 
iitlopted  the  suggestions  therein  contained,  as  is 
.shown  by  the  reply  made  to  the  Governor  on  the 
same  date : 

"To his  Excellency,  Horatio  Sharpe,  Esq  ;  Governor  and  Commander  in 
Chief  in  and  over  the  Province  of  Maryland.     The  humble  Address  of 
the  House  of  Delegates. 
"May  it  please  your   Excellency,   This   House   having  taken   into 

Consideration  your  Excellency's  Message  of  this  Day,  have  thereupon 

come  to  the  following  Resolves : 


152 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


"  Resolved,  That  this  House  will  make  suitable  Provision  for  thf 
paying  and  maintaining  Eighty  Men,  including  Officers,  for  four  niontb 
(if  Occasion)  for  ranging  on  the  Frontiers  of  this  Province,  to  protect 
the  same  against  the  Incursions  and  Depredations  that  may  he 
attempted  or  made  by  the  French,  or  their  Indian  allies. 

"  Resolved  further.  That  this  House  will  defray  the  reasonable  Expence 
of  conveying  Intelligence  from  Willa's  Creek  to  Annapolis  and  back 
thither,  for  four  Months." 

"H.  HOOPER,  Speaker." 

On  the  2d  of  July  the  sum  of  £2,000  was 
appropriated  to  carry  into  eflect  an  "Act  for  securing 
the  Western  frontier  of  this  Province  against  the 
depredations  of  the  French  and  their  Indian  allies. 
and  also  for  paying  and  maintaining  couriers  from 
Will's  Creek  to  Annapolis  and  back  to  Will's  Creek." 
A  company  of  militia  was  quickly  formed  and  sent  to 
Fort  Cumberland,  from  which  point  it  made  frequcm 
descents  upon  the  enemy,  and  ranged  the  forests  alonjj 
the  borders,  and  materially  aided  the  settlers. 

Meantime  Braddock  was  still  advancing,  and  on 
the  4th  of  July  two  Indians  went  on  towards 
Fort  Duquesne  to  ascertain  the  condition  of  the  Fort. 
and  the  number  of  men  there.  Gist  set  out  the  same 
day  for  the  same  purpose,  and  they  returned  on  tlio 
()th,  with  intelligence  to  the  effect  that  the  works 
had  not  been  increased;  there  were  very  few  boats 
near  the  Fort;  the  number  of  soldiers  to  be  seen  was 
inconsiderable;  the  passes  were  all  clear,  and  tho 
enemy  seemed  to  have  ver\^  few  reconnoiteriiig 
[)arties  out.  Gist  narrowly  escaped  capture  by  two 
Indians  who  had  discovered  and  pursued  him 
Irving  says  in  his  life  of  Washington  that  "•on  the 
same  day,  during  the  march,  three  or  four  men 
loitering  in  the  rear  of  the  grenadiers  were  killed  and 


1755.] 


HHAOnOCK  S    ROUTE. 


153 


scalped.  Several  oi'  the  grenadiers  set  off  to  take 
revenge.  They  came  upon  a  party  of  Indians,  who 
held  up  boughs  and  grounded  their  arms,  the 
concerted  sign  of  amity.  Not  perceiving  or  under- 
standing it,  the  grenadiers  fired  upon  them,  and  one 
tell.  It  proved  to  be  the  son  of  Scarooyadi.  Aware 
too  late  of  their  error,  the  grenadiers  brought  the 
body  to  the  camp.  The  conduct  of  Braddock  was 
admirable  on  this  occasion.  He  sent  for  the  father 
and  the  other  Indians,  and  condoled  with  them  on 
the  lamentable  occurrence;  making  them  the  custom- 
ary presents  of  expiation.  But  what  was  more  to 
the  point,  he  caused  the  youth  to  be  buried  with  the 
honors  of  war;  at  his  request  the  officers  attended 
the  funeral,  and  a  volley  was  fired  over  the  grave. 
The  honors  thus  shown  the  deceased  warrior  gratified 
the  pride  of  the  old  chief,  and  proved  a  balm  to  him 
in  his  aflliction.  It  excited  a  feeling  of  deeper  friend- 
ship toward  his  white  allies,  who  had  thus  shown 
the  most  genuine  sorrow  for  him  in  the  calamity 
which  had  so  unfortunately  befallen  him. 

For  two  days  Braddock  halted  at  Thicketty  Run, 
and  on  the  7th  marched  with  a  view  to  crossing 
Turtle  Creek,  but,  dreading  the  labor  of  making  his 
way  over  the  ridges  about  that  stream,  and  the  delay  of 
Inidging  it,  he  changed  his  route,  on  the  8th, marching 
ahnost  due  west  towards  the  Monongahela,  along  the 
valley  of  Long  Run,  and  encamped  that  night  some 
two  miles  from  the  river.  The  "Narrows,"  a  gorge 
tlirough  which  the  river  passed,  near  the  point  of 
encampment,    was   not   passable    for   artillery,    and 

besides  presented  many  advantages  to  the  French, 

20 


154 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1750 


should  they  resort  to  ambush;  for  tliis  reason 
Braddock  determined  to  cross  the  Monongahela  at  a 
ford  near  by  and  to  recross  it  by  a  second  ford  a 
short  distance  below,  near  the  mouth  of  Turtle 
Creek,  thus  avoiding  the  "Narrows,"  and  securing 
easy  marches. 

The  condition  of  tlie  firmy  was  not  of  the  most 
flattering  character,  at  this  time,  and  the  remark 
made  some  time  earlier,  to  the  effect  that  its  com- 
mander was  most  "judiciously  chosen  for  being 
disqualified  for  the  service  he  is  employed  in,  in 
almost  every  respect,"  was  felt  to  be  painfully  true 
by  at  least  several  of  the  prudent  and  thinking  men 
who  served  under  his  orders.  Braddock  was  irritable. 
arrogant,  and  intemperate  in  his  hot-headed  denun- 
ciation of  every  officer  and  man  who  incurred  his 
displeasure;  he  Avould  not  so  much  as  speak  t<.)  the 
two  principal  officers  under  his  command,  or  notice 
them  in  anyway,  except  when  required  to  do  so  by 
the  necessity  of  sending  them  directions;  Shirley,  the 
General's  Secretary,  was  disgusted  and  indignant 
because  of  the  delays  as  well  as  the  blunders  of  the 
march;  Washington,  while  he  retained  his  self- 
command,  inwardly  chafed  over  the  bigotry  whicli 
closed  the  General's  eyes  to  the  most  commonplace 
necessities  in  dealing  with  a  foe  he  would  not 
understand;  Sir  Peter  Halket  was  low  spirited  and 
depressed;  he  comprehended  the  importance  of 
meeting  the  wily  red  skins  with  their  own  tactics. 
and  while  he  urged  the  General  to  beat  the  bushes 
over  every  foot  of  ground  from  the  camp  to  the  Fort, 
he   had   little   hope   of  seeing   his  advice  put  into 


1755.] 


THE    Nir.lIT    BEFOKK    TIIK    HATTLK. 


155 


effect;  when  he  wrapped  his  mantle  about  him  that 
night  as  he  lay  upon  his  .soldier's  bed  his  soul  was 
iilled  with  the  darkest  forebodings  for  the  morrow, 
^vllicll  he  felt  would  close  his  own  career  as  well  as 
that  of  many  another  jiallant  soldier,  a  presentiment 
which  was  sadly  realized.  Not  only  was  there 
dissatisfaction,  want  of  confidence,  and  unfriendliness 
amongst  the  officers,  but  the  men  w^ere  spiritless, 
broken  down  by  the  fiitigues  of  the  march-  ijoorly 
fed,  and  harrassed  by  the  great  time  consumed  in 
travelling  so  short  a  distance.  On  this  night, 
preceding  the  day  of  battle,  the  men  were  early 
encamped  and  sleeping  about  their  fires,  to  gather 
strength  for  the  march,  and  whatever  else  the  morrow 
might  bring  forth.  With  Braddock,  however,  there 
were  no  doul)ts  or  fears;  he  had  luibounded  con- 
fidence in  himself,  and  firm  reliance  in  his  veterans; 
a.s  well  as  thorough  contempt  for  the  French  and 
Indians.  To  him  the  morrow  was  gilded  with  the 
glory  of  victory,  and  where  others  feared  disaster  and 
disgrace  he  anticipated  a  success  which  should  bring 
him  new  honors  and  coveted  favors  at  the  hands  of 
his  Sovereign.  Braddock  did  not  anticipate  the 
slightest  difliculty  in  putting  to  Hight  the  enemy  he 
was  to  encounter;  and  could  he  have  met  thateneni}- 
upon  an  open  field  his  anticipations  would  doubtless 
have  been  verified.  He  only  feared  that  he  might 
liave  some  difficulty  in  crossing  the  river  at  the  fords. 
But  ill  any  event  he  had  determined  to  reach  the 
Fort  and  attack  it  before  the  day  should  close.  At 
0  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  9tli  he  sent  a  picked 
body  of  mew  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Gago,  to  take 


156 


HISTORY    OF    CUMBEKLANI). 


[175o, 


possesHion  of  the  t'ortls  and  secure  the  further  shoiv 
of  the  second  ford,  so  that  no  delay  ini<j;ht  onsiu' 
when  the  main  ])ody  and  the  trahi  should  arrive, 
An  hcur  later  the  Quatermaster-General  took  a  ])iirtv 
of  men  forward  to  make  the  necessary  roads,  wliile 
some  four  hundred  of  the  troops  were  stationed  on 
the  hills  near  by,  to  protect  the  Hanks.  At  G  o'clock 
the  main  ]x)dy  moved,  under  the  direct  commjind  of 
Braddock,  who  remained  at  the  first  ford  until  the 
crossing  had  been  made.  The  General  intended  to 
take  Fort  Duquesne  on  this  day,  and  in  the  takiiiir 
of  it  he  was  disposed  to  make  the  victory  both 
brilliant  and  imposing,  with 

"  The  spirit  stirring  drum,  the  ear  piercing  fife, 
Tlie  royal  banner  ;  and  all  quality. 
Pride,  pomp,  and  circumstance  of  glorious  war." 

When  the  columns  were  put  in  motion  on  this  event- 
ful day  the  men  were  clad  in  their  scarlet  uniforms, 
and  brilliantly  equipped  as  if  for  dress  parade;  even 
article  of  apparel  was  in  perfect  ct)ndition;  tlioir 
burnished  arms  glistened  in  the  sunlight,  while  the 
royal  colors  floated  in  the  breeze;  and  as  the  perfectly 
formed  ranks  moved  forward  to  the  inspiring  strains 
of  the  di'uni  and  fife,  every  soldier  seemed  to  have 
lost  the  remembrance  of  his  toil  and  privation;  the 
bracing  atmosphere  of  the  ejirly  *inorning  in  the 
mountains;  the  shadowy  groves  along  the  banks  of 
the  tran(piil  river,  in  all  their  })eauty;  and  the 
prospect  of  meeting  the  enemy,  raised  the  spirits  of 
the  entire  command.  The  eyes  of  the  veterans 
spai'kled,  and  they  marched  with  buoyant  step,  over 
a  soil  that   was  soon,  alas,  to  be  consecrated  with 


1755.] 


ON   THE    HATTLK    FIELD. 


157 


their  blood,  and  to  hv  n^idercd  forever  memorable 
bv  an  almost  uiiparallelled  sacrifice  of  brave  spirits 
to  bigoted  incompetency. 

The  advance  guard  drove  a  number  of  Indians 
from  cover  early  in  the  day,  and  others  could  be  .seen 
at  intervals,  on  the  hills  nearby,  watching  the  army's 
movements.  With  a  view  to  inijjress  them  with  his 
•rri'iit  strength,  Braddock,  after  crossing  the  first  ford, 
and  getting  on  a  piece  of  bottom  land  almost  clear  of 
timber,  put  the  troops  through  the  various  regimental 
nianceuvres,  in  all  of  which  they  moved  with  the 
utmost  coolness  and  precision,  presenting  such  a 
.«ight  as  to  command  the  highest  degree  of  admiration 
p.nd  enthusiasm  on  the  part  of  Washington,  who  gave 
expression  to  his  delight  in  extravagant  terms. 

About  noon  the  men  were  allowed  to  take  their 
dinners,  before  crossing  the  second  ford;  and  after 
crossing  they  were  halted  near  the  old  site  of  Frazier's 
House,  close  by  Turtle  Creek,  where  the  order  of 
march  was  arranged.  In  the  advance  were  placed 
the  guides,  with  the  engineers  and  six  light  horse- 
men, Lieutenant-Colonel  Gage  with  his  command 
immediately  following;  then  came  Sir  John  St.  Clair, 
with  two  6-pounder  guns  and  the  wagons  and  men 
of  the  working  party.  The  main  l)ody  of  the  army, 
under  command  of  Braddock,  followed;  the  artillery 
and  baggage  in  his  rear,  protected  by  infantry  and 
cavalry  on  the  Hanks.  The  provincial  troops  formed 
the  rear  guard,  and  aided  also  in  protecting  the 
flanks. 

The  river  at  the  point  of  crossing  was  quite 
shallow,  and  was  easily  fordable   at  any  point  for 


158 


HISTORY  OF    CUMUEKLANI). 


[1755 


inoiv  than  half  a  mile  bohjw  Turtle  (Jreek;  the  banks 
were  gently  sloping,  l)ut  recjuired  .sonic  cutting  to 
enable  the  artillery  and  trains  to  deseend  and  ascend 
without  diflieulty.  The  elevation  of  the  banks  wan 
about  twenty  feet,  and  when  the  troo[)s  halted  iil'tor 
crossing  they  were  in  the  shade  of  a  grove  of  walnut 
trees,  which  covered  the  rich  bottom  land  stretchinr 
back  from  the  river  a  distance  of  a  ((uarter  of  a  mile. 
the  ground  being  free  of  un.  -rowtli.  Farther 
back  the  surface  was  grn-^  •  v.'>vated,  until  it 
reached  the  base  of  a  line  ot  lalLs,  Avith  steep  .sidi,^ 
and  heavily  wooded.  To  avoid  the  soft  and  s[)()ngy 
ground  along  the  river  the  British  marched  towards 
the  hills,  gaining  the  higher  plateau  at  their  base. 
and  then  turned  to  skirt  them  on  their  course  down 
the  river.  The  undergrowth  of  thickets  and  bnunhlcs 
was  quite  thick,  and  concealed  entirely  several 
ravines  which  stretched  down  to  the  river  from  the 
hill  sides,  the  soft  earth  having  been  washed  out  bv 
the  waters  of  numerous  springs,  leaving  almost 
perpendicular  banks.  These  ravines  were  as  perfectly 
adapted  to  the  wants  and  purposes  of  the  French  us 
though  prepared  for  the  especial  emergency  which 
had  now  arisen.  They  were  naturally  formed  riHe 
pits,  so  ct)mpletely  masked  by  foliage  as  to  leave  no 
suspicion  of  their  existence.  On  the  right  of  the 
unsuspecting  army  lay  one  of  those  ravines,  broad 
and  deep,  grown  full  of  lieavy^  trees,  and  reaching  to 
the  very  heart  of  the  forest  on  the  hill  sides.  As  to 
the  other,  about  two  hundred  yards  from  the  ravine 
just  mentioned,  it  conniiences  right  in  the  middle  ot 
the  plain,  or  upper  plateau,  near  the  base  of  the  hillt', 


IT')'').] 


BATTI.E   OP   THK    MONONOAIIELA. 


ir,!) 


•a  most  .singular  ditch,  with  a  depth  and  l)readth  of 
a  few  feet  at  its  hoad,  hut  increasing  soon  to  ten  or 
twelve,  and  at  that  time  overhung  and  completely 
concealed  hy  a  thick  growth  of  vines  and  hushes;  of 
"Tasses  and  trailers  and  wild  Indian  plum.  Even  to 
this  day  it  can  scarcely  he  perceived,  or,  at  least,  its 
full  capacity  cannot  he  appreciated,  until  one  is  right 
upon  it,  and  then  in  it.  It  is  a  most  peculiar  dit<;h, 
and  could  vot  he  better  adapted,  either  for  attack  or 
defense,  wvre  engineers  to  devise  and  fashion  it.  It 
could  easily  conceal  a  thousand  men."  Between 
these  ravines  wa8  a  forest  of  trees,  and  bushes,  and 
here  the  troops  marched  in  a  road  newly  cut,  and 
barely  twelve  feet  wide,  their  line  of  march  being 
diagonal  with  the  ravines,  and  within  easy  range  of 
the  enemy  therein  concealed. 

The  army  was  marching  \vith  its  advance  almost 
at  the  head  of  one  of  these  ravines,  with  the  least 
conceivable  caution,  when  suddenly  the  whole  com- 
mand was  startled  by  a  volley  of  rifle  shots  in  front, 
and  a  terriffic  yell,  which  announced  the  presence  of 
a  large  body  of  savages.  Lientenant-Colonel  Burton 
Imrried  forward  with  eight  hundred  men  to  support 
Ciage,  leaving  the  baggage  under  Halket's  care  at  the 
river.  The  woods  seemed  to  be  full  of  French  .ind 
Indians,  as  they  kept  up  a  heavy  fire  of  musketry, 
and  made  the  air  ring  with  their  demon-like  shouts; 
yet  not  one  of  them  could  be  seen.  They  lay  along 
the  ravines,  completely  concealed  from  view,  deliber- 
iitely  selecting  their  victims  and  shooting  them  down. 
Burton's  troops  formed  in  line  of  battle,  ready  to 
move    forward    and    meet    the    enemv    from    the 


l()0 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


iinderf!;r()wtli,  whon.  imlortiinatcly,  Gn«^e'.s  nun 
becjimo  paiiic-Htriokcn,  and  retrojitod  in  the  utmost 
confuHion  innnodiatoly  u[)on  Burton's  cominand. 
broakiufi;  liis  lines  and  inipartinji:  some  of  their  own 
demoralization  to  their  i'reshly  arrived  conn-ados. 
The  two  re«j^iments  became  inextricably  mixed,  the 
men  lost  their  heads,  and  huddled  together  in  the 
narrow  road,  utterly  heedless  of  the  commands  of 
tlieii;  ofhccrs.  Braddock  became  terribly  enrajrcd 
and  charged  amongst  the  paralyzed  soldiers  with  his 
horse,  striking  right  and  left,  and  endeavoring  to  get 
them  into  position.  The  provincial  troops  took  to 
trees  and  oj)ened  fire  upon  the  enemy,  doing  good 
service,  and  Washington  urged  Braddock  to  order 
the  regulars  to  do  the  same,  but  he  refused,  and 
persisted  in  his  endeavors  to  get  his  men  formed  in 
line.  The  colors  of  the  two  regiments  were  fixed  as 
rallying  points,  and  the  men  summoned  to  fall  into 
line,  but  it  was  in  vain.  The  officers  then  undertook 
to  form  them  in  platoons,  but  the  terrible  war  whoops 
of  the  Indians  and  the  hail  of  balls  from  foes  thev 
could  not  see  had  sent  dismay  to  the  hearts  of  the 
terrified  men,  and  they  were  really  worse  than 
useless.  Braddock  cursed  them  bitterly;  he  cut 
down  several  soldiers  whom  he  saw  sheltering  them- 
selves behind  the  trees,  and  others  he  struck  witii 
the  flat  of  his  sword.  The  officers  labored  with  the 
utmost  zeal  to  bring  their  men  to  some  degree  of 
reason,  and  to  charge  the  enemy;  they  even 
dismounted  from  their  horses,  formed  platoons  and 
advanced  in  line,  hoping  by  their  example  to 
encourage   the   soldiers   to    follow.     Despite   every 


1755.] 


BATTLE    OF    TIIK    MONONCIAHKLA. 


161 


cfTort,  ronfiision  roi«];no(l  siipromo;  tho  troops  were, 
as  belbro  remarked,  worse  tlian  useless,  since  tliey 
not  only  miulc  no  assaults  u[)on  tiio  enemy,  but 
added  horror  to  the  havoc  by  firinjij  u[)()n  their  own 
IVieiids  and  shooting  down  the  only  men  who  were 
doiii}^  any  service  on  the  British  side,  Seeinj^  the 
hopelessness  of  the  situaticm,  uidess  some  decisive 
stroke  could  be  quitikly  delivered,  Captain  Wa<;goner, 
who  had  command  of  the  provincial  troops  of 
Virginia,  determined  to  get,  with  his  men,  on  the 
flank  of  the  enemy,  and  drive  him  out.  Some  fallen 
timber  on  the  brow  of  the  hill  was  pointed  out  by 
him  to  Scarooyadi,  and  they  with  eighty  men  made 
tlieir  way  to  it,  where  they  took  shelter,  and  poured 
a  galling  fire  into  the  painted  imps  along  the  ravine, 
causing  them  to  })eat  a  hasty  retreat  to  better  shelter. 
Waggoner's  men  with  a  shout  started  to  follow 
up  tlieir  advantage,  when  the  demoralized  mob 
behind  them,  made  the  final  blunder  by  finng  point 
blank  into  their  ranks,  killing  two  thirds  of  their 
number.  Those  that  remained  uninjured  turned  and 
lied  for  their  lives,  disgusted  and  distressed. 

Braddock  had  already  had  five  horses  killed  under 
him,  and,  utterly  regardless  of  danger,  was  every- 
where, urging  his  men  forward;  Washington  had 
bad  his  clothing  pierced,  but  bad  escaped  injury; 
Captains  Ornie  and  Morris  bad  both  bee!i  wounded; 
Sir  Peter  Halket  and  his  son  shot  dead,  and  nearly  all 
the  officers  as  well  as  hundreds  of  the  men  sacrificed. 
The  French  and  Indians,  seeing  the  confusion  and 
dismay  of  the  Britisli,  and  witnessing  the  destruction 

of    Waggoners    party,    became    more    and     more 
21 


ir.2 


HISTORY    OF    CUMRKULAND. 


[1755. 


eiiiboldened.  The  ravages  frcMjiKMitlj  niHliod  iVoiii 
cover  to  scalp  an  odu'cr  or  gatlier  a  trophy,  iind 
gradually  tlioy  .succeeded  in  almost  surrounding  the 
army.  13etween  lour  and  five  o'clock,  while  iJraddock 
was  delivering  ;";i  order,  he  was  struck  by  a  bullet, 
which  passed  through  his  right  arm  into  his  lungs. 
He  fell  Crom  his  horse  to  the  ground,  and  lay  there 
mortally  wounded;  defeated  and  abandoned,  so  far  as 
his  veter;vn  soldiers  were  concerned.  Captain  Oriiie, 
hinis(!lt'  wounded,  l)egged  some  of  the  men  to  cam 
the  (iieneral  oil'  the  field,  and  oflered  them  his  purse 
containing  sixty  guineas  as  a  reward;  but  not  a  man 
would  stay  for  love,  respect  or  gold.  Captain 
Stewart,  of  the  Virginia  troo])S,  with  another  American 
officer  and  Braddock's  servant,  carried  the  fallea 
commander  fnmi  the  field  in  his  silken  sash,  Avlmli 
they  took  from  about  his  waist.  V/iien  IJraddock's 
fall  l)e('ame  Known,  the  panic-stricken  soldiers  threw 
down  their  arms  and  anmumition,  and  lletl  with  the 
utmost  precipitation.  The  teamsters  raid  artillery 
meji  cut  their  horses  loose,  and  mounting  them  rode 
olF  at  full  speed.  Kverything  was  abandoned,  and 
the  retreat  became  a  thoroughly  disgraceful  rout. 
while  the  Indians  added  to  the  terror  of  the 
frightened  wretches  l)y  rushing  Jifter  them  Avitii  the 
wildest  yells,  ;nid  occasiinially  tomahawking  ami 
scalping  one  of  their  number,  before  they  reached  the 
river.  A''ter  crossing  this  stream,  they  continue'l 
tf''ir  flight  ibr  more  than  a  (piarter  of  a  mile.  Here. 
tlie  (Jeneral,  with  several  other  wounded  oflicer^'. 
halted,  and  ilv-y  succeeded  in  getting  about  one 
lu  ndnd  men    to    take    a  position    near    the   road. 


1755.] 


TIIK    HKTRKAT. 


163 


with  a  view  toholdiiifr  the  place,  until  reinlorcements 
should  arrive  from  Dunbar.  In  less  than  an  hour, 
however,  tlu>  soldiers  ran  away-  and  the  wounded 
oilicers,  Avith  a  lew  I'aithlid  friends  who  remained 
with  tlicni,  continued  their  retreat.  The  General 
sent  AVashington  hack  to  (Colonel  Duidjar.  with 
in.strui  tiuns  to  send  forward  M'aji\)ns  for  the  wounded, 
and  a  supply  of  provisions  and  hospit  d  stores,  under 
the  guard  of  the  youngest  two  Grenadier' companies, 
to  meet  him  at  Gist's  phmtation,  or  luarer  if  possible. 
(.'oloiK'l  Gage  then  joined  IJradd'  k  with  some  eighty 
men,  and  continued  with  him.  Braddoek  was  so 
badly  wounded  tluit  he  could  not  sit  his  horse,  and 
had  to  be  carried  in  his  sash,  by  soldiers.  Dr.  Craik 
dressed  his  Avounds,  but  the  old  soldier  seemed  to 
think  little  of  his  bodily  sulTerings;  he  expressed  his 
desire  to  die  and  be  bui'ied  on  the  site  of  the  great 
misfortune  of  his  iile;  he  was  deeply  distressed,  and 
could  scarc(dy  comprehend  the  (!alamity  Avhicdi  had 
so  unex[K'ct('dly  overtaken  him  in  the  hour  in  whicli 
he  had  h'oked  for  i:  brilliant  victory,  which  was  to  be 
the  crjwning  triumph  of  his  military  career  and 
give  him  postbuinous  fame. 

Few  instances  are  recorded  a\  iiere  so  merciless  a 
slaii^ihter  was  accomplished  upon  a  ibe  so  hirgely 
oiitiHunbering  its  assailants.  Such  scenes  of  carnage 
are  fortunately  not  of  frccpient  oc(UU'rence.  Eighty 
nine  connnissioned  ollicers  went  into  the  battle  of  the 
Monoiigaliela;  and  of  these  twenty-six  were  killed 
and  thirty-seven  wounded;  lour  hundred  and  thiity 
i^oldiers  were  slain  outright,  and  three  hundred  and 
eighty-five  wounded 


164 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


The  following  is  a  list  of  the  oflicers  who  were 
present,  and  of  those  who  were  killed  and  wounded 
in  this  disastrous  engagement,  as  reported  in  the 
Gentlemen  8  Magazine,  in  August,  1755: 

STAKF. 


Offloeni'  Names. 

Kuiik. 

Killed  or  Wounded. 

Edward  Braddock,  Esq. 

Gen'l  and  com.  in  chief 

Mortally   wounded 

Robert  Orme,  Escj.,     ^ 
Roger  Morris,  Esq., 
George  Washington, 

Esq J 

William  Shirley  Esq.... 

Wounded. 

Aids  de  Camp. 

^^ 

Secretary. 

Killed. 

Sir  John  St.  Clair 

Dep'y  Quar.  Mas'rGn'l 

Wounded. 

Matthew  Leslie,  (Jent.... 

Gen'l  Assist,  do. 

i( 

Francis  Halkett,  E.sq.... 

Major  Brigade. 

KOKTY-KOUKril    UKCIM  KNT.* 


OfilcerB*  Names. 

Sir  Peter   Halkett. 

Gage,   Eijq 

Tatton, 

Ilobson 

Beck  worth 

Githi\i8 

Falconer 

Sittler 

Bailey 

Dunbar 

Pottenger 

Halkett 

Treby 

Allen 

Simpson 

Lock 

Disney 

Kennedy 

Townsend 

Preston 

Clarke 

Nortlow 

Pennington 


Kuiik. 


Colonel. 
Lieut.  Colonel. 
Captain. 


Lieutenant. 

(( 
(I 


Knsijn 


11 


Killed  or  Wounded. 

"ICilled. 
Wounded. 
Killed. 


Killed. 

Wounded. 

Wounded. 

Killed. 
Wounded. 
Died  of  wounds. 
Wound  d. 

Wounded. 

II 

II 
Killed. 

Killed. 


*Thl;  Hut  ig  inaccurate  in  uom*  sligbl  particulam,  and  was  probably  made  up  from  mcmorj. 


1755.] 


THE   KILLED   AND  WOUNDED. 


165 


FOKTY-EIUHTH     KK<JIMENT. 


Officers"  N«me«. 


Burton,  Esq 

Sparks,  Esq 

Dobson,  Esq 

Cholmondeley 

Bowyer,  Esr| 

Ross,  Esq 

Barbiitt,  Esq 

Walsliara,  Esq 

Crymble,  Esq 

Widman,  Esq 

Hansard,  Esq 

(lladwin,  Esq* 

Holham,  Esq 

Kdmonstone,  Esq 

Cope,  Esq , 

Brereton,  Esq 

Stuart,  Esq 

Montresore 

Dunbar 

Harrison 

Cdlcbatt 

Macnnillen 

Crowe 

Stirlinsr 


Rank. 


Lieut.  Colonel. 

Major. 

Captain. 


u 


Lieutenant. 


II 
«< 
<i 

<i 

<i 
u 


Ensign. 


<> 
i< 


Killed  or  Wniitided. 


Slightly  wounded. 


Killed. 
Wounded. 


Killed. 

« 

Wounded. 
Wounded. 
Killed. 
Wounded. 


Wounded. 

(I 


VIRGINIA    0KKU;ER.S. 


Dunds. 


Stevens 

Wagt^oner., 


Peyronie..., 

Siewjirt 

Hamilton... 
Woodward. 

Wrifiht 

Spiitdorph. 

Stewart 

WiijT.'jener., 
-M'Neiil 


Ca])tuin. 

li 

t< 

« 

Lieutenant. 

it 


Wounded. 
Killed. 

Killed. 

Killed. 

Wounded. 
Killed. 


bmorj. 


'ThiswuH  Hriiry  Gladwiu,  who  wou  maoy  laurela  anemarda,  aud  became  Deputy-A^utant 
General  in  America. 


I  ia.'A    !£:..tiL.'^i'iV  i<  ;i 


IGG 


HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


*1N1)KI'KNI)KNT.S. 


OflicerH'  Names 
(lUteS 

Rank. 

Captain. 

Lieutenant. 

(t 

KiUed  or  Wounded. 
Wounded. 

Suniain 

Killed. 

Miller 

Haworth 

Wounded. 

Ol'py 

K 

AUTIM.KBY. 

Orile 

Smiili 

Captain, 
Capt.  Liout. 

Lieutenant. 

ti 

Killed. 

Uiiclianan 

Wounded. 

M'Cloiid 

MeCullor 

it 

KKfJINEKR.S. 

McKellcr.  E.sn 

Major. 

Captain. 

Capt.  Jjicutonant. 

Wounded. 

Ourdon,  Esq. 

Williamson,   Ks(|  

NAVAI.    OKFICIOK.S. 

Spciidelowe 

Lieutenant. 
Midshipman, 

Killed. 

Ilavno.f 

'I'lilhot 

Killed. 

VOIA'XTKBKS. 

Stone 

Captain, 

Killed. 

Haver 

Wounded. 

Diiiibar  was  still  forty  inilos  to  tlie  rear,  liiivini: 
boon  so  slow  in  his  movenionts  that  lio  was  therefor 
christened  "Dnnhar  the  Tardv."  Had  he  been 
present  at  the  battle,  however,  matters  would  have 
been  worse,  rather  than  better,  since  an  accumidatioii 
ofnnnibors  woidd  have  proven  of  no  avail  where  the 

*.\iiii)in.'ht  tlio  imiiieM  enliiply  omitted  ill  the  lists  liero  Rivpii  is  Hint  of  ;ipii.  Kvnii  Shelby,  kIio 
was  tlii'ii  H  i'aplaiii  ol  Uuiint'i-H,  aiiit  wiis  t?-|teoiaHy  kimwii  tor  liih  ki'eh  inteltpct.  yreat  courage, 
ftiid  ii'iiii  miiKtitiiliiMi.  He  «iisa  Welsliiiiaii  liv  I'ii'tli,  till'  rami'  to  Maryland  when  a  miiiiinul 
.\ller  r.iudiln.'h's  lU'leiil  l.i' reiiiaiiiiMl  iii  r(iiiiiiiaii<l  i>|  h  •  raimei'n,  mid  when  lioi|not'«  os|H'di- 
lion  was  (HL'iiiii/.ed.  he  juiiied  il,  mid  under  Kiirlies  dist  inyiiislied  hinii-eli  by  his  Milur  anJ 
eiieruy.  lie  wuHlhe  liilher  of  Nuac ->lielby,  a  yallant  olllci.T  who  won  distiiictiuii  in  llieUevulii- 
liniiaiy  war. 

I'n/llimh  Mercer  and  .1.1111 '1  (JraiK.  Huru'eoin  of  the  VirLMiiia  trooiis,  were  on  tiie  iVIil  ami 
the  former  WHS  Moiouslv  wounded.  When  he  fidl,  the  troops  wei"  i;i  full  ilinlit.  anil  lliiJi"J 
tiiat  ln^  was  miahle  to  join  in  the  retreat,  heeonrealed  llinl^ell  liehiiid  n  lulleii  tree,  nliere  llie 
iiiidei^rowth  was  heavy,  an  I  tiler  •  he  lay  until  sunset,  viewiii;;  the  wiM  scene  of  piliiiiie  aiiJ 
bloody  outrage  that  followed  lie  witnesspd  the  slniiirhter  of  the  woiiihIimI  and  the  scnlpins  "' 
the  dead.  Alter  iiiyhliall  he  lelt  his  liidini;  place,  and.  t.ikiiiK  the  stars  lor  his  conipnus,  i-'.o«l* 
and  I  aiiilully  iinide  his  wav  bad!  toward*  K.irf  I'li'iiherlaii  1.  whji'h  pmt  he  reached  Benio  ''• 
days  later,  hall-starved,  sicli,  and  in  mi'.eh  pain.  Two  years  later,  while  servini!  as  n  (7nul»in  in 
C'oloiiid  .Tohii  Ariiistrono's  expedition  auninst  the  Imliana  at  Kiltaniiiiio,  he  wasa'.'ain  woiindfli 
and  a  second  tiiiin  made  his  way  alone  tliioimh  tlie  woods  to  Kort  I'uniberhirid.  In  I7i'7  1" 
Mercer  was  umdo  a  Uold  oIUcbi  in  the  Uevolutiouaiy    army,  bud  gave  up  his  lile  at  I'riucetou. 


(00, 


1755.] 


AFTER    Til?:    BATTLE. 


1G7 


Icirlor 

bt'cii 

liav. 

at  ion 

ro  the 


clliy.  iviio 

cinirai;e, 

lutnitll  \'ii- 

Ik  i's|»'Ji- 

liiliir  aaJ 

■  Herein- 

Jfiplil,  anJ 
|t  llnJii'^ 
llicre  llif 

|lll!!(!  .Ill'l 

■'.ciiily 
borne  'H 
littiiiiiii  i" 
^iiunde"!. 
1 17"  1>' 
lucetoj' 


enemy  could  not  be  seen,  and  where  the  troops  were 
cioniorali/ed  by  fear.  His  command  woidd  only  have 
furnished  more  material  for  the  nnirderous  savages. 

"Nathaniel  Gist,  s(m  of  Christopher,  with  'Gist's 
Indian,'  were  dispatched  I'roin  the  battle-held  to  Fort 
Cumberland,  with  tidings  of  the  overthrow,  but  with 
instructions  to  avoid  passing  by,  or  disturbing  the 
repose  of  Dunbar.  They  traveled  a-foot,  and  through 
unfrequented  paths,  to  avoid  the  Indians.  While 
snatching  some  repose  during  the-  darkness  of  the 
first  night  of  their  journey,  in  a  thicket  of  bushes  and 
grape  vine  on  Cove  Run,  within  view  of  the  can^p 
fues  of  Dunbar,  they  mistook  the  noise  of  the  move- 
ment of  some  bird  or  beast  for  Indians,  and  run  with 
the  heedlessness  of  alarm.  They  thus  became 
separated.  But  each  wended  his  way  cautiously 
and  alone.  When  nearing  their  destination,  uj)on 
emerging  from  the  bushes  into  the  open  road  Gist 
saw  a  few  rods  ahead,  his  long  lost  Indian,  who  had 
also  just  taken  the  highway!  Like  two  soothsayers, 
they  had  to  laugh  at  each  other  for  their  causeless 
alarm  and  separation."'^' 

Wasiiington,  though  greatly  fatigued  by  the 
events  and  exertions  of  the  dreadful  day  through 
wlueh  he  had  just  passed,  and  still  weak  from  his 
siekness,  hurried  off  to  the  rear  to  meet  Dfinbar, 
and  deliver  the  orders  heretofore  referred  to.  lie 
was  acconn)anied  by  two  orderlies,  and  the  night  was 
so  dark  that  otlen  they  were  compelled  to  dismount 
and  search  for  the  road.     The  entire  night  was  spent 


'Tlii.i  sinry  was  civpii  the  Riitlior  of  tli»  prtjiern  piititled  "Tlie  Moiionjjftlitjla  of  Old,"  by  Uenrjr 
Meson,  llie  foiiudeiol  Uuioutowu,  Fu,,  wbo  Imd  it  from  Uie  hy»  of  OUt  hiuiHulf. 


SfS^KMBE^^JE^ 


168 


HISTORY  OF    CUMBEKLAND. 


[1 


I  -y-i 


in  the  saddle,  but  at  sunrise  they  reached  DunbarV 
canii).  The  distracted  teamsters  had  arrived  tlieif 
ahead  of  Washington,  and  had  spread  dismay  amongst 
Dun])ar's  troops  by  reporting  that  Craddoclv  was 
killed,  the  army  destroyed,  and  the  Indians  pur- 
suing the  few  who  were  left.  The  effect  of  sudi 
intelligence  upon  the  camp  was  instantaneous,  and 
it  was  only  by  the  most  stringent  orders  and  threats 
of  instant  death  to  any  man  who  should  leave  tlie 
ranks,  that  the  soldiers  were  kept  from  an  iinnu'- 
diate  stampede. 

Washington  returned  to  Gist's  plantation  the  next 
day,  taking  with  him  the  necessary  supplies,  and 
there  met  the  wounded  officers  and  their  escort. 
They  reached  Dunbar's  camp  that  night,  where  thiy 
remained  two  nights  and  one  day.  The  wounded 
officers  and  men  were  then  placed  in  the  wagons. 
and  as  there  were  left  no  means  by  which  to  earn 
the  store  of  provisions  and  annnunition,  all  tliese 
were  destroyed  by  l^raddock's  order.  The  artillerv 
had  been  left  on  the  field  of  battle;  and  the  military 
chest  containing  £25,000  in  coin,  as  well  as  tlu' 
General's  desk  and  papers,  were  all  lost.  Wiiat 
remained  to  them  now  was  nothing  more  than  was 
necessary  for  the  supply  of  their  actual  wants  until 
they  should  reach  Fort  Cumberland.  On  the  loth 
they  nuirched  to  the  Great  Meadows.  During  the 
entire  day  the  dying  General  was  in  the  greatest 
distress.  His  wounds  caused  him  the  most  intense 
pain,  yet  of  tliese  he  took  little  account.  His  spirit 
was  broken,  his  pride  humiliated,  and  his  niiml 
depressed  by  the  disgrace  of  his  terrible  defeat.    He 


.  ,->»'fw>  iVsacM-JU'ii  'in-^t-!»^  *i*li  n.4  V  Us: 


1755.] 


DEATH    OK    UKAI)I)()CK. 


109 


tielduin  spoke,  and  when  he  did  it  was  only  to  give 
such  orders  as  were  necessary,  or  to  briefly  express 
his  disappointment  and  regret.  "Wlio  would  have 
tiiought  it!  Who  would  have  thonglit  it!"  he  re- 
peated. As  the  sun  set  on  this  quiet  Sunday  evening, 
it  became  apparent  that  the  brave  old  veteran  was 
about  to  close  his  eyes  upon  the  earth,  and  his  faithful 
Iriends  stood  around  his  couch,  with  sad  hearts.  He 
turned  to  ('aptain  Orme,  and  in  a  thoughtful  way, 
said,  "We  shall  better  know  how  to  deal  with  thein 
auotiier  time."  A  little  lat(3r,  his  eyes  closed,  and 
the  spirit  of  Braddock  was  with  the  Master.  His  life 
went  out  amidst  the  sombre  shades  of  the  forest, 
near  the  scene  of  Washington's  reverse,  the  previous 
year,  and  his  body  was  buried  in  silence  and  sorrow, 
at  day-break  next  morning,  the  grave  being 
made  in  the  road,  and  the  wagons  being  driven  over 
it,  that  it  might  not  be  discovered  and  disturbed  by 
tlie  enemy.  The  services  for  the  dead  were  read  by 
Washington,  the  Chaplain  having  been  wounded,  and 
Washington  l)eing  the  only  staft"  oiHcer  remaining  fit 
for  any  duty  whatever. 

Various  statements  have  been  made  regarding  the 
destruction  of  stores  at  Dun})ar  s  camj^  and  several 
writers  have  asserted  that  artillerv,  amnuinition  and 
money  were  buried  near  the  camp,  in  consequence  of 
which  nianv  searches  luive  been  made  there  for  such 
articles.  These  rumors  probably  originated  in  a 
letter  written  by  Colonel  Burd  to  Governor  Morris, 
dated  at  Fort  Cumberland,  July  25,  1755,  in  which 
the  (.'olonel  relates  that  Dunbar  told  him,  in  a  con- 
versation at  dinner,  that  he  had  destroyed  all  his 
23 


i 


170 


HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


I 


provisioiiH  except,  what  ho  could  ciirry  aw  suhsistoiRc. 
an  well  as  all  the  powder  he  had  with  him,  notuiv 
50,000  pounds,  but  that  Iuh  uiortars  and  shells  lie 
had  buried.  Dunbar  was  evidently  niisunder.stodii 
in  this  matter,  as  he  afterwards,  on  the  25111  of 
August,  wrote  to  Governor  Shirley:  "We  must  be;: 
leave  to  undeceive  you  in  what  you  are  pleased  to 
mention  of  "guns  being  buried"  at  the  time  Genoni! 
Braddock  ordered  die  stores  to  be  destroyed;  for 
there  was  not  a  gun  of  any  kind  buried."  (Joloiic! 
Burd,  in  1759,  while  on  his  way  to  make  the  road  to 
Redstone,  searched  for  the  guns  he  supposed  to  k 
buried,  and  dug  a  great  many  holes,  but  found 
nothing. 

Many  relics  have  been  gathered,  however,  bj  tht 
persons  living  in  the  vicinity  of  the  camp,  and  wniu 
of  them  have  now  in  their  possession,  cannon  bull''. 
bullets,  shells,  &c.  Amongst  other  articles  are 
fragments  of  9-inch  shells,  showing  the  size  of  tlu' 
mortars  used,  and  masses  of  lead  formed  by  bullet.'' 
melted  and  run  together,  the  surface  being  rouglienod 
by  the  protuberance  of  the  small  leaden  balls  oiilv 
half  melted. 

The  part  played  by  the  French  in  the  defeat  of 
Braddock  has  been  variously  given,  but  there  seems 
to  be  a  lack  of  accuracy  in  most  accounts.  A  recent 
volume  of  the  "Historical  Collections  of  Wisconsin 
contains  the  Memoirs  of  Clnirles  de  Langlade,  Avritten 
by  Joseph  Tasse,  Esq.,  of  Ottawa,  ( -anada,  and  trans- 
lated from  the  French  b}'  Mrs.  Sarah  Fairchild  Dean. 
The  history  of  the  action  of  Langlade  in  the  battle  ot 
the  Monongahela,  was  gathered   by  Mr.    layman  C. 


1755.] 


TIIK    FHKNCII    AGAINST    liKADDOCK. 


171 


feat  ui 

1  seems 
livceiit 
mm 
[ritU'ii 

trans- 
iDoaii. 

:tl(M.i' 

Im  ('• 


Draper,  Corrosponding  Sodrotary  of  the  Ilistorioul 
Societv  of  Wis(!()iiHiii,  from  tho  lips  of  Captain 
Aiigustiri  (irignon,  who  had  obtained  the  .statement 
from  Langhide  himself,  and  the  truth  and  accuracy 
of  the  statements  have  been  abundantly  verified. 
The  Langlade  i'amily  came  originally  from  France, 
ill  1GG8.  Charles  was  born  at  Mackinaw  in  1729, 
and  spent  the  days  of  his  youth  amongst  tho  Ottawa 
[iidiaiis.  who  came  to  regard  him  as  under  the  pro- 
tection of  some  powerful  Manitou,  in  consequence  of 
which  he  early  gained  a  great  influence  over  them, 
leading  them  in  their  wars  with  other  tribes. 

"While  (>harles  de  Langlade  thus  exhibited  his 
courage  in  the  obscure  combats  of  tribe  against  tribe, 
events  in  Canada  were  becoming  complicated,  and 
tlireatened  to  take  a  serious  turn.  Grave  difficulties 
had  arisen  between  France  and  England  in  Acadia, 
and  the  valley  of  the  Ohio,  on  the  subject  of  the 
frontier  boundaries;  and  although  peace  still  existed, 
there  had  sd ready  be«m  some  bloody  encounters  in 
the  wilderness,  and  it  was  evident  that  on  either 
bide  the  first  occasion  would  be  seized  to  come  to 
blows.  Thus,  the  killing  of  a  French  officer,  M.  de 
Junionville,  sent  as  an  envoy  to  Washington,  at  the 
head  of  thirty  soldiers,  for  the  purpose  of  summoning 
the  English  to  evacuate  entrenchments  raised  by 
thetn  near  the  Ohio,  was  the  signal  for  that  long  and 
terrible  seven  years'  war  which  kincHvd  the  fires  of 
two  Continents,  and  led  to  consequences  so  disastrous 
to  France. 

"Vaudreuil,    Governor   of  the    Colony,    took  the 
necessary  measures    to  cope   with    the   enemy,  and 


172 


nrSTOKV  OF  (nJMUKHf.ANn. 


[1755. 


Iiiistoni'd  to  arm  tlio  rt'jj^iilar  troops,  and  tlio  (Canadian 
militia.  Tlie  savaf»;oH  of  the  Nortli-west,  joinod  tothe 
coureurn  de  hoifi,  so  numerous  at  that  timo,  also 
(urnished  a  valuable  contingent;  and  he,  without 
hesitation,  confided  this  command  to  Charles  do 
Langlade,  whose  exjjloits  were  already  well  known 
to  him.  United  to  the  savajj^es  by  the  ties  of  blood, 
by  similarity  of  habit,  familiar  with  their  dialec^ts.  and 
with  their  modes  of  warfare,  of  acknowledged  brawn 
and  ability,  enjoying  un({uestionable  authority  and 
iniluence,  Langlade  was  exactly  the  man  for  the 
situation. 

"At  his  .appeal,  the  tomahawk  is  unearthed,  the 
tribes  incite  themselves  with  enthusiasm,  and  a 
crowd  of  savage  warriors  gather  around  the  folds  of 
the  French  flags.  We  find  at  the  head  of  these 
Indian  bands  many  celebrated  chiefs;  among  otiiors. 
it  is  believed,  the  famous  Pontiac,  who  some  years 
later  became  illustrious  by  liis  conspiracy  against  the 
English. 

"After  organizing  his  forces,  Langlade  received 
orders  to  direct  his  steps  with  all  haste  towards  Fort 
Duquesne,  of  which  General  Braddock,  recently 
arrived  from  England,  with  veteran  troops,  was 
about  to  attempt  to  acquire  possession  in  order  to 
drive  the  French  out  of  the  valley  of  the  Ohio. 

"Langlade  arrived  at  Fort  Duqnesne  in  the 
beginning  of  July,  1755.  Le  Sieur  de  la  Perade,  as 
well  as  some  French  and  Indians,  sent  to  observe  the 
hostile  army  whose  least  movements  were  watched. 
announced  on  the  eighth  of  July  that  it  was  only  a 
half    day's    journey   from    the    Monongahela — the 


tmsstm 


''"^^■■''^'^"••-'"■^■^-•'"^••^''■"' 


17-').').] 


I.ANGLADK    URGES    THE    ATTACK. 


173 


KMVOtl 

Fovt 
;entlv 

lor  to 

II  till' 

|le,  as 

re  the 

ilied. 

nly  a 

•the 


Mulenffuentee  of  the  (Jaiiiulian", — and  tliat  it  was 
iidvancing  in  throe  colunnis.  On  tin'  r(M'iM|)t  of  tliose 
tidin^^s,  the  commandant  at  Fort  l)u(|iu»sn('  decided 
to  oppose  the  advance  of  the  enemy;  and,  for  tliis 
purpose,  l)e  Beaujeu  or«!;anized  a,  force  of  al)oiit  two 
Imndred  and  fifty  Fnuicli,  and  six  liundred  and  fifty 
Indians. 

"Leaving  the  fort  on  the  ninth  of  .luly,  at  nine 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  De  Beaujen  fonnd  himself  at 
hall' past  twelve  in  the  presence  of  the  English,  just 
at  the  instant  when  they  lialted  on  the  South  shore 
of  the  Monongahela,  to  take  their  dinner.  The 
French  and  Indians  had  not  yet  heen  pen^civcd  by 
theeiieiiiy;  and  they  phiced  themselves  carefully  in 
aiubush  in  the  ravines  and  thick  woods,  which 
formed  an  impassable  belt  in  the  steep  bank  In  front 
of  tlieni.''' 

"Langlade  comprehended  at  once  all  the  advan- 
tages of  the  position,  and  hastened  to  de  Beaujeu  to 
boir  him  to  commence  the  action;  but  that  officer 
turned  a  deaf  ear  to  his  entreaties.  Unwilling  thus 
to  relincpiish  his  purpose,  he  then  called  together  the 
Indian  chiefs,  showed  them  the  importance  of  an 
immediate  attack  upon  the  English,  and  advised 
them  to  go  and  demand  an  order  to  commence  battle. 
De  Beuiijeu  gave  them  a  no  more  satisfactory  re[>ly. 
Langlade  then  n)ade  a  second  appeal  to  the  French 
connnander,  and  insisted  energetically  upon  the 
necessity  of  an  immediate  attack  upon  the  enemy. 


_'Thl«  is  confirmed  bvthe  relation  of  M.  do  Oodefroy,  an  otlicer  In  the  Fort  DuqiiesnegarriBon: 
'The  party  of  M.  de  BoaiijiMi  advanced  for  ntlaclf  about  three  and  a  hall  leaauea  from  Kort 
UiiiHiesiie,  when  the  eneniv  were  at  dinner.  "  Thir  memoir  haa  been  publi»hed  by  Mr.  John  O. 
i-uei,  iu  hiB  "  Kelationfa  divers  8ur  la  batailla  du  Malaugueule." 


■:.^^.^^^^iM^>fi\tii-yj^^.< 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


174 


HISTORY  OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


'If  we  are  going  to  fight,'  he  said,  'we  must  do  it 
while  tlie  English,  not  suspecting  danger,  have  laid 
aside  their  arms,  or  when  they  are  fording  the  River. 
for  they  are  too  far  superior  in  numbers  for  us  to 
resist  them  in  open  country.'  De  Beaujeu  was 
evidently  discouraged  by  the  strength  of  the  enemy. 
and  hesitated  what  course  to  take;  but  final!} 
putting  an  end  to  his  indecision  he  ordered  the 
attack. 

"The  action  commenced  with  vigor,  and  took  the 
army  of  Braddock  by  surprise.  Officers  and  soldiers 
ran  to  their  arms  with  such  precipitation  that  many 
of  the  leaders  still  had  their  napkins  on  their  breasts 
when  found  among  the  dead.  As  they  occupied 
lower  ground  than  the  French,  they  fired  over  their 
heads,  and  only  hit  a  small  number.  The  French 
and  Indians,  meanwhile,  concealed  behind  the  trees 
were,  so  to  speak,  invisible;  and  they  returned  the 
fire  of  the  enemy  by  a  fusillade,  which  scattered 
death  and  consternation  amongst  the  English  battal- 
ions. At  last  the  soldiers  of  Braddock  took  flight, 
and  both  the  Canadians  and  Indians  charged  upon 
them  with  tomahawks,  forcing  them  to  throw  them- 
selves into  the  waters  of  the  Monongahela,  where 
many  of  them  were  drowned. 

"This  was  a  disastrous  day  for  the  English. 
Braddock,  who  wished  to  make  war  after  the 
European  manner  in  the  forests  of  the  Ohio,  and  had 
been  unwilling  to  take  advice  from  any  one,  paid  for 
his  temerity  with  his  life,  and  the  loss  of  the  largest 
part  of  his  army.  The  bodies  of  some  hundred 
soldiers,  and  many  officers,  strewed  the  battle  field, 


1755.] 


VICTORY    AND    SPOILS. 


175 


and  immense  booty  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  French* 
Had  it  not  been  for  the  Virginia  militia,  commanded 
by  Washington,  protecting  the  retreat  of  the  frag- 
ments of  the  English  army,  that  portion  of  the 
savages  who  did  not  loiter  to  pillage  the  dead,  would 
not  in  all  probability  have  spared  a  solitary  soldier 
to  tell  the  story  of  their  sanguinary  defeat.f 

'•The  French  did  not  lose  thirty  men,  and  the 
most  of  these  were  killed,  not  by  the  English  balls, 
l)ut  by  the  branches  of  the  trees  which  sheltered 
them,  and  which  were  violently  torn  off  by  the  fire 
of  the  enemy's  artillery.  The  victory  was  more 
brilliant  because  the  French  had  only  an  inferior 
force  with  which  to  oppose  the  army  of  Braddock, 
numberins:  at  least  two  thousand  men,  which 
constrained  Washington  to  say:  'We  have  been 
beaten,  shamefully  beaten,  by  a  handful  of  French- 
men.' 

"After  the  rout  of  the  English,  Langlade  took 
energetic  measures  to  prevent  the  savages  from 
seizing  the  stores  of  liquor  belonging  to  the  enemy;  for, 
once  under  the  influence  of  the  liquid  fire,  they  might 
have  been  carried  to  excesses  which  would  have 
tarnished  the  glory  of  a  day  so  fortunate.  Frustrated 
in  their  jittempt  the  Indians  set  about  searching  the 
bodies  of  the  English  dead,  lying  by  hundreds  on  the 

'"There  were  counted  dead  on  tli«  battle  field  >ix  hundred  men,  on  the  retreat  about  four 
hundreil:  along  ii  little  Mreaui  three  hundred.  Their  total  \o**  was  reckoned  at  twelve  hundred 
and  seventy,  other  accounts  place  it  at  one  tlioufand,  flrteen  huwdrei,  and  even  seventeen  liun- 
dred.  Tne  wounded  were  abaudoned,  and  almost  ail  perished  in  tlie  woods.  Uf  one  hundred 
«nd  fixtj  oincerM,  only  six  escaped  Several  pieces  of  artillery  were  taken;  also  a  hundred 
covered  wagons,  _the  I'nililary  clieM,  and  the  ertects  of  the  iiHlcers,  wlio  were  well  eiiuipped. 
Tlie  la^it  was  the  booty  ol  the  savn^'es  and  Canadians. — Memoirs  des  I'onchot,  vol.    1 .  p.  37. 

t'"The  rout  became  general,  \ll  the  Uugli-ih  took  to  Hinlit,  carrying  with  them  their  wounded 
n»neral.  Terror  seized  oven  those  who  had  takeu  no  part  in  "this  combat.  Dunbar's  army, 
tiicsmpcd  nearly  twenty  leagues  Irom  the  Held  of  action,  deserted  their  c»mp  and  joined  th« 
niglllves,  ivhodid  not  stop  till  they  reached  Kort  Cumberland,  the  longest  (light  on  record.  The 
Mfiich  pursued  the  Kngltsh  till  tear  uf  some  ambuscade  made  them  retrace  their  steps  for  ther 
litd  no  suspicion  that  they  had  struck  their  foes  with  so  greata  panic— Notice  ol  Daaiel  Uyacinth 
HanaLieuaidde  Ueai^eu.  ^7  J<>>>i>  ^-  H>>ea, 


176 


HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


bloody  field.  Many  of  th  )fficers  wore  rich  uniforms, 
and  they  despoiled  them  of  every  valuable  article 
they  might  have  upon  them. 

"BesideH  the  Indians,  many  Canadians  took  part 
in  the  combat,  under  the  command  of  Langlade: 
among  others  his  brother-in-law,  Souligny,  his 
nephew,  Gautier  de  Vierville,  Pierre  Queret,  La 
Choisie,  La  Fortune,  Amable  de  Gere,  Philip  de 
Rocheblave,  and  Louis  Hamelin.  All  won,  by  their 
brave  conduct,  the  congratulations  of  their  chief 

"The  Indians  were  not  alone  in  their  desire  to 
despoil  the  vanquished.  La  Choisie  having  found  on 
the  battle-field  the  body  of  an  English  officer  dressed 
in  a  rich  uniform,  Philip  de  Rocheblave  claimed  to 
have  discovered  it  at  the  same  moment.  The  former 
took  possession  of  the  well  filled  purse  of  tlie  officer. 
but  the  latter  maintained  loudly  that  he  had  an 
equal  right  to  it,  and  they  separated  after  exchanging 
more  than  one  bitter  word.  However  it  may  have 
been,  La  Choisie  was  assassinated  during  the  followinj; 
night,  and  the  purse  disputed  with  him  by  de 
Rocheblave  was  not  found  upon  him.  Quite  naturally 
the  tragical  end  of  La  Choisie  was  attributed  to  de 
Rocheblave,  but  his  guilt  could  not  be  established. 
De  Rocheblave  was  the  uncle  of  Pierre  de  Roche- 
blave, who  became  one  of  the  most  important  members 
of  the  North-western  Fur  Company." 

Many  of  these  details  had  never  before  been 
published,  and  the  fact  that  Langlade  should  have 
taken  so  decisive  a  part  in  the  engfigement,  must 
naturally  excite  some  surprise,  but  there  is  little 
doubt  that  the  French  triumph  was  largely  due  to 


1755.] 


DE   BP:AUJEU   and   LANGLADE. 


177 


his  exertions  and  liis  ability  as  a  military  man.     He 

figured  prominently  in  later  days,  and  in  1777  one 

of  Burgoyne's  officers,  in  a  letter   referring  to  the 

expected  arrival  of  Ottawa  Indians,  wrote:     "They 

are  led  by  M.  de  Saint   Luc   and   M.  de  Langlade, 

both  great  partisans  of  the  French  cause,  in  the  last 

war;  the  latter  is  the  person  who,  at  the  head  of 

the  tribe   which    he   now   commands,  planned  and 

executed  the  defeat  of  General  Braddock."     Burgoyne 

himself  wrote  to  the  same  effect,  and  he  spoke  as 

though  the  important  part  taken  by  Langlade  was 

of  common   notoriety  amongst   the    English.     This 

history  of  the    affiiir   divides   the   honors    of    that 

memorable  battle  between  Beaujeu  and  Langlade, 

whereas  all  previous  accounts  have  given  the  former 

the  exclusive  credit  for  Braddock's  defeat.    According 

to  other  accounts   Beaujeu  ojiginated   the    plan   of 

leaving  FortDuquesne  to  make  the  attack,  and  secured 

a  reluctant  consent  to  his  scheme  on  the  part  of  M. 

de  Contrecoeur,  the   commander,  who   was    indeed 

upon  the   point   of    abandoning   the    Fort,    before 

Braddock's   arrival.     The    Indians   were   afraid   to 

march  against  a  force  so  largely  superior  in  numbers, 

but  de  Beaujeu    vehemently  said  to  them,  "I  am 

determined  to  go  out  against  the  enemy.     I  am  certain 

of  victory.     What!  will  you  allow  your  father  to  go 

alone!"     His  language  and  his  manner  aroused  the 

savages,  of  whom  there  were  gathered  representatives 

of  nearly  a  dozen  tribes,  and  they  responded  to  his 

appeal  by  declaring  they  would  follow  him,  where- 

cver  he  might   lead.     Instantly   the    entire    band 

prepared  for  action,  and  in  less  than  an  hour  six 
23 


178 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


hundred  braves  were  armed,  in  their  war  paint. 
and  on  the  march  with  two  hundred  and  fifty 
French  and  Canadians.  Beaujeu  led  his  soldiers  and 
their  allies  on  to  the  attack,  with  the  greatest  bravery 
and  coolness;  he  had  prepared  for  the  worst  as  to 
himself,  having  received  the  holy  communion,  in 
company  wdth  a  party  of  his  soldiers  on  the  evening 
preceding  the  battle.  Early  in  the  conflict  he  fell 
mortally  v^ounded,  and  shortly  afterwards  expired, 
His  death  caused  the  Indians  to  falter,  and  when  the 
unfamiliar  roar  of  artillery  was  added  to  the 
confusion  of  the  conflict  they,  becoming  terrified, 
began  a  retrogade  movement.  Dumas,  next  in 
command,  sprang  quickly  to  the  front,  cheered  them 
on  and  led  them  back,  to  a  still  fiercer  attack  thun 
the  first.  It  is  too  late  for  history  to  attempt  to 
change  the  records  of  more  than  a  century  far 
enough  to  give  to  Langlade  the  glory  accorded 
Beaujeu  and  Dumas;  but  it  cannot  now  be  doubted 
that  the  former  is  entitled  to  a  full  share  of  the 
credit  due  for  the  victory  given  the  French  arms  on 
that  meniorable  occasion. 

After  the  last  sad  rites  had  been  paid  the  dead 
General,  the  British  army  continued  its  dreary 
retreat,  and  on  the  same  evening  reached  Little 
Meadows.  From  that  point  Washington  wrote  to 
Colonel  Innes  the  following  letter,  which  was  sent 
forward  by  an  express: 

LiTTLK  Mkauows,  16  JuLT,  1755. 

Kir: 

Captain  Orme,  beinjr  continod  to  his  litter,  aud  not  able  to  write 
has  desired  me  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  yours.  He  begs  the  favor 
of  you  to  have  the    room  the   General  lodged  in  prepared  for  Colonel 


1755.]     THE   WOUNDED   AT   FORT    CUMBERLAND.  179 


lie  dead 
dreary 

Little 
rote  to 
ns  sent 

to  write 

I  the  f^ivot 

Colonel 


Burton,  himself  and  Capt.  Morris,  who  are  all  wounded;  also  that  some 
firaall  place  may  be  had  convenient  for  cooking,  and,  if  any  fresh  pro- 
vision, and  other  necessaries  for  persons  in  their  conditiou,  may  be  had, 
that  you  will  engage  them. 

The  horses  which  carry  the  wounded  gentlemen  in  litters,  are  so 
much  fatigued,  that  we  dread  their  performance;  therefore  it  is  desired 
that  you  will  be  kind  enough  to  send  out  eight  or  ten  fresh  horses  for 
their  relief,  which  will  enable  us  to  reach  the  fort  this  evening. 

I  doubt  not  but  you  have  had  an  account  of  the  poor  gentlemen's 
death  by  some  of  the  affrighted  wagoners  who  ran  off  without  taking 
leave.    I  am  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

GEO.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Governor  Innes, 

At  Fort  Cumberland. 

Before  the  receipt  of  this  letter  by  Colonel  Innes  a 
number  of  the  teamsters  had  reached  the  Fort,  and 
they  spread  consternation  throughout  the  camp 
by  reporting  that  Braddock  and  his  officers  were  all 
dead,  and  that  the  entire  army  had  been  either 
killed  or  made  prisoners.  U])on  receipt  of  Washing- 
ton's letter,  however,  Colonel  Innes  immediately  sent 
forward  the  necessary  horses,  and  prepared  quarters 
for  tlie  wounded  officers  and  men.  When  the 
sorrowful  cavalcade  arrived  at  the  Fort  it  was 
received  with  the  greatest  kindness,  and  every  effiart 
made  to  relieve  the  sufi'erers.  Tliey  were  taken  into 
buildings  before  used  as  barracks,  and  at  once 
everything  obtainable  that  could  contribute  to  the 
alleviation  of  their  sufferings  was  supplied. 

Washington  feared  lest  the  exaggerated  statements 
made  by  the  badly  frightened  teamsters  should  be 
carried  east,  and  at  last  reach  his  mother.  In  order 
to  relieve  her  mind,  he  at  once  dispatched  a  letter, 
assuring  her  of  his  safety,  and  giving  her  some 
account  of  the  expedition,  and  its  unhappy  results. 


180 


HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


1 

j 

On  the  same  date  he  also  wrote  to  his  brother,  as 
follows : 

Fort  Cumberland,  18  July,  1755. 
Dear  Brother: 

As  I  have  heard,  since  my  arrival  at  this  place,  a  circumatantial 
account  of  my  death  and  dying  speech,  I  take  this  early  opportunity  of 
contradicting  the  first,  and  assuring  you  that  I  have  not  as  yet  composed 
the  latter.  But  by  the  all  powerful  dispensation  of  Providence  I  have 
been  protected  beyond  all  human  probability  or  expectation;  for  I  liad 
four  bullets  through  my  coat,  and  two  horses  shot  under  me,  yet  escaped 
unhurt,  although  death  was  leveling  my  companions  on  every  side  of 
me  I 

We  have  been  most  scandalously  bedten  by  a  trifling  body  of  men, 
but  fatigue  and  want  of  time  prevent  me  from  giving  you  any  of  the 
details  until  I  have  the  happiness  of  seeing  you  at  Mount  Vernon,  whicli 
I  now  most  ardently  wish  for,  since  we  are  driven  thus  far.  A  feeble 
state  of  health  obliges  me  to  halt  here  for  two  or  three  days,  to  recover  a 
little  strength,  that  I  may  thereby  be  enabled  to  proceed  homewards  with 
more  ease.  You  may  expect  to  see  me  there  on  Saturday  or  Sunday 
fortnight,  which  is  as  soon  as  I  can  well  be  down,  as  I  shall  take  mj 
Bullskin  Plantations  on  my  way.  Pray  give  my  compliments  to  all  mj 
friends.    I  am,  dear  Jack,  your  most  affectionate  brother,  G.  W. 

Captain  Orme  wrote,  the  same  day,  to  Governor 
Sharpe,  giving  an  account  of  the  battle,  as  follows: 

FouT  CuMHERLAND,  July  18th,  1755. 
My  Dear  Sir: 

I  am  so  extremely  ill  in  bed  with  the  wound  I  have  received  in  ray 
thigh  that  I  am  under  the  necessity  of  employing  my  friend  Capt.  Dob 
son  to  write  for  me. 

I  conclude  you  have  had  some  account  of  the  action  near  the  banks 
of  the  Monongahela  about  seven  miles  from  the  French  Fort;  as  the 
reports  spread  are  very  imperfect  what  you  have  heard  must  consequent^ 
be  so  too.  You  should  have  had  more  early  accounts  of  it  but  every 
officer  whose  business  it  was  to  have  informed  you  was  either  killed  or 
wounded,  and  our  distressful  situation  put  it  out  of  our  powers,  to  attend 
to  it  so  much  as  we  would  have  done, 

The  9th  instant  we  passed  and  repassed  the  Monongahela  by  advanc- 
ing first  a  party  of  800  men  which  was  immediately  followed  by  another 
of  200,  the  General  with  the  column  of  Artillery,  Baggage  and  the  main 
body  of  the  army  passed  the  river  the  last  time  about  one  o'clock;  as 
soon  as  the  whole  got  on  the  Fort  side  of  the  Monongahela  we  heard » 


1755.] 


CAPTAIN  ORMES  ACCOUNT. 


181 


very  heavy  and  (juick  fire  in  our  front,  we  immediately  advanced  in  order 
to  sustain  them,  but  the  Detachment  of  the  200  and  the  .100  men  gave 
way  and  fell  back  upon  us  which  caused  such  confusion  and  struck  so 
groat  a  Panick  among  our  men  that  afterwards  no  military  expedient 
could  be  made  use  of  that  had  any  effect  upon  them;  the  men  were  so 
extremely  deaf  to  the  exhortations  of  the  General  and  the  officers  that 
they  fired  away  in  the  most  irregular  manner  all  their  ammunition  and 
then  run  off  leaving  to  the  enemy  the  artillery,  ammunition,  Provision  and 
Baggage,  nor  would  they  be  persuaded  to  stop  till  they  got  as  far  as 
Guerst  Plantation,  nor  there  only  in  part,  many  of  them  proceeding  even 
as  far  as  Col.  Dunbar's  party,  who  lay  six  miles  on  this  side.  The  officers 
were  absolutely  sacrificed  by  their  unparalleled  good  behaviour,  advanc- 
ing sometimes  in  body  &  sometimes  8ep:*rately,  hoping  by  such  example 
to  engage  the  soldiers  to  follow  them,  but  to  no  purpose. 

The  General  had  five  horses  shot  under  him  and  at  last  received  a 
wound  through  his  right  arm,  into  his  lungs,  of  which  he  died  on  the  1.3th 
inst.  Poor  Shirley  was  shot  through  the  head,  Capt.  Morris  wounded) 
Mr.  Washington  had  two  horses  shot  under  him  and  his  clouths  shot  thro' 
in  several  places,  behaving  the  whole  time  with  the  greatest  courage,  and 
resolution.  Sir  Peter  Halket  was  killed  upon  the  spot.  Col.  Burton  and 
Sir  John  St.  Clair  wounded,  &  Inclosed  I  have  sent  you  a  list  of  the 
killed  and  wounded  according  to  as  exact  an  account  as  we  are  able  to 
get. 

Ppon  our  proceeding  with  the  whole  convoy  to  the  Little  Meadows 
it  was  found  impossible  to  advance  in  that  manner,  the  General  therefore 
adranced  with  twelve  hundred  men,  with  the  necessary  artillery,  ammu- 
nition, &  provision,  leaving  the  main  body  of  the  convoy  under  the 
command  of  Col.  Dunbar  with  orders  to  join  him  as  soon  as  possible;  in 
this  manner  we  proceeded  with  safety  and  expedition  till  the  fatal  day  I 
have  just  related,  and  happy  it  was  that  this  disposition  was  made,  other- 
wise the  whole  must  have  either  starved  or  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy,  as  numbers  would  have  been  of  no  service  to  us,  and  our  provision 
all  lost. 

As  our  number  of  horses  were  so  much  reduced  and  those  extremely 
weak,  and  many  carriages  being  wanted  for  the  wounded  men,  occasioned 
our  destroying  the  ammunition  and  superfluous  part  of  the  provision  left 
in  Col.  Dunbar's  convoy  to  prevent  its  falling  into  the  hands  of  the 
Enemy, 

As  the  whole  of  the  Artillery  is  lost  and  the  troops  are  extremely 
weakened  by  Deaths,  wounds  and  sickness,  it  was  judged  impossible 
to  make  any  further  attempts,  therefore  Col.  Dunbar  is  returning  to 
Fort  Cumberland  with  everything^he  is  able  to  bring  with  him, 

I  propose   remaining  here  till  my  wound  will  suffer  me  to  remove 


182 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


: 


to  Philadelphia,  from  thence  shall  make  all  possible  digpa^h  to 
p]nglfind,  whatever  commands  you  may  have  for  me  you  will  do  me 
the  favor  to  direct  to  me  here, 

I  am  with  the  greatest  sincerity  your  most  obedient  and  most 

Humble  Servant, 
liOBT.  ORME. 
By  the  particular  disposition   of  the  French  and  the  Indians  it  is 
impossible  to  judge  of  the  numbers  they  had   that   day  in  the   Field. 
As   the  General's  chariot  is  to  be  disposed  of,  I  should  be  glad  to 
know  if  you  would  have  it  again;  it  has  been  at  this  place  sitne  our 
departure  from  hence;  if  you  propose  taking  it  again  I  will  semi  it  to 
you  and  bring  the  General's  coach  back,     Capt.  Morris'  complimenta 
attend  you  with  Mr,  Washington's, 

P.  S,  Writing  to  you  as  a  friend  I  flatter  myself  you  will  excuse 
the  hurry  in  which  this  is  wrote. 

To  The  Hon'bl  Governor  Sharpe. 

Notwithstanding  the  great  distance  between  Fort 
Cumberland  and  the  battle  field  of  the  Monongahola, 
the  rugged  mountains,  and  the  very  diffieult  roads, 
the  garrison  at  the  Fort  was  in  a  state  of  the  greatest 
uneasiness  lest  the  victorious  French,  with  their 
Indian  allies,  should  pursue  the  retreating  remnant 
of  the  army  and  strike  it  another  blow.  So  com- 
pletely terrified  were  the  defeated  English  that  every 
particle  of  courage  seemed  to  have  been  eradicated 
from  their  natures;  they  forgot  their  king,  their 
country,  their  honor,  everything  in  fact  save  the 
savage  war  whoop  of  the  Indian  and  the  fatal  scenes 
of  the  battle  field. 

Dunbar,  who  had  been  so  slow  in  going  forward 
with  his  force  that  he  did  not  get  within  sound  of 
the  conflict,  made  the  best  use  of  his  time  in  marching 
to  the  rear.  On  the  20th  of  July  he  arrived  at  Fort 
Cumberland,  having  fifteen  hundred  soldiers  fit  for 
duty.  In  the  hands  of  a  proper  officer  these  men 
would  have  been  sufficient  to  set  at  defiance,  and 


1755.]    duniur's  rktkeat  to  pniLADELPniA.        183 

even  to  overcome,  any  force  tliat  the  French  might 
have  been  able  to  send  againnt  them  from  Fort 
Duquosne,  but  Dunbar  was  as  badly  frightened  as 
any  tyro  in  the  ranks,  and  he  did  not  feel  that  his 
precious  body  was  safe  so  long  as  he  was  in  the 
shadow  of  the  wilderness.  The  necessities  of  the 
case  were  such  that  he  could  not  continue  his  retreat 
immod lately,  and  was  compelled  to  remain  at  Fort 
Cumberland  until  the  2d  of  August,  by  which  time 
the  wounded  had  all  been  looked  after,  the  weary 
and  foot  sore  men  somewhat  recruited,  and  an 
abundance  of  supplies  secured. 

The  following  extract  appeared  in  Green's  Mary- 
land Gazette,  July  81st,  1755,  and  is  interesting  in 
several  respects: 

"By  Letters  in  Town  we  understand,  that  Col.  Dunbar,  with  the 
Remainder  of  the  two  Regiments,  and  three  Independent  Companies, 
under  bis  Command,  were  to  march  from  Fort  Cumberlaud  on  Tuesday 
last  for  Rays-Town  in  Pennsylvania.  The  same  Letters  mentioned  the 
arrival  of  one  Staut  at  Fort  Cumberland,  who  gave  them  the  following 
accounts :  That  about  the  Middle  of  June  last  he  and  his  Family  were 
carried  off  from  the  Back  Parts  of  this  Province,  by  a  Party  of  Indians, 
to  Fort  Du  Quesne;  that  when  he  came  thither  the  French  had 
not  above  400  Men  in  the  Fort;  that  on  the  2d  of  July,  about 
1100  French,  and  1.300  Indians,  came  down  the  Ohio,  and  in  a  few  Days 
afterwards  several  other  large  Parties  of  both  French  and  Indians  arrived 
also  from  other  Parts:  That  a  small  Party  of  French,  with  about  2,000 
Indians,  were  soon  after  sent  out  to  harrass  our  army  on  their  March,  who 
understanding  the  Rout  the  General  had  taken,  determined  to  have 
disputed  his  Passage  over  the  Monongahela,  but  coming  too  late  for  that 
Purpose,  found  him  entered  into  the  Valley  where  the  action  happened. 
That  after  the  Engagement  the  Indians  pursued  our  People  to  tlie  Monon- 
!,'ahela,  scalped  and  plunder'd  all  that  were  left  upon  the  Field,  except 
five  or  six,  who  not  being  able  to  keep  pace  with  the  Victors  in  their 
Return  to  the  Fort,  were  all  treated  in  the  same  Manner,  one  Virginian 
only  surviving  it.  [Oh  I  horrid  Barbarity  I  to  kill  in  cool  Blood  I  But, 
Protestant  Reader,  such  is  the  Treatment  we  may  expect  to  receive  from 
his  most  Christian  Majesty's  American  allies,  if  ever  we  should  be  so 


184 


HISTORY  OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


i 


unhappy  an  to  fall  into  their  Ilands,  except  we  give  up  our  Uelij^ion 
Liberty,  and  every  Thinj(  that  is  deur  and  vfilmible,  and  submit  to  be  his 
Vassals,  and  Dupes  to  the  Romish  Clergy,  whose  most  tetider  Mercies  arc 
but  hellish  Cruelties,  wherever  they  have  Power  to  exercise  them.] 

"  Ho  further  says,  that  the  same  Day  of  the  attack,  all  the  artillcrv, 
Ac,  was  carried  into  the  Fort,  and  the  Plunder  distributed  amongst  the 
Indians;  a  great  Number  of  whom,  the  second  Day  afterwards,  took  their 
Leaves  and  set  out  for  Canada,  carrying  this  Staut  with  them  a  Prisonpr 
who  the  first  Night  afterwards  made  his  Escape  from  them,  and  with 
much  Diificulty,  arrived  at  Fort  Cumberland,  almost  famish'd. 

"lie  says  the  French  have  now  about  3,000  Men  at  the  Fort." 

On  the  1st,  Dunbar  received  ii  letter  from  Commo- 
dore Keppel,  directing  him  to  send  the  seamen  to 
Hampton,  where  they  were  to  go  on  board  the  ship 
Garland. 

On  the  same  day  he  wrote  the  following  letter  to 
LieutenantrGovernor  Morris,  of  Pennsylvania : 

Fort  Cumberland,  Aug.  1,  1755. 
Sir: 

With  this  you'l  receive  a  Letter  for  Admiral  Boscawen,  which  pray 
T>ut  under  cover  to  him,  directed  to  him  or  officer  commanding  his 
ilajeaty's  ship  at  Halifax,  and^if  the  despatches  I  sent  you  are  not  gone, 
or  an  opportunity  immediately  oflFering,  I  would  request  your  sending  all 
to  Halifax  directed  as  before. 

I  march  from  this  to-morrow  with  about  1,200  Men.  When  I  shall 
have  the  honor  of  seeing  you  at  Philadelphia  is  uncertain  on  accou.it  of 
the  long  march.  I  hope  everything  will  be  fusilitated  for  our  reception, 
It  would  give  me  infinite  pleasure  to  hear  from  you  on  my  March.  I 
flatter  myself  with  agreeable  news  of  our  Friends  at  Sea  and  Gen.  Shirley, 
The  latter  is  my  greatest  concern,  as  I  am  assured  he  will  meet  with  a 
vigorous  opposition. 

I  leave  here  the  Virginia  and  Maryland  Companies  with  some  of  the 
Train  to  protect  this  Fort  and  the  General  hospital,  where  there  is  about 
400  Wounded  or  Sick. 

Sir,  your  most  humble  and  Ob'dent  Serv't 
THOMAS  DUNBAR. 
To  Governor  Morris. 

P.  S. — I  fear  Ladys,  wives  to  Gentlemen  kil'd,  are  come  or  coming 
to  Philadelphia.  If  they  arrive  and  want  a  little  Assistance  be  so  good 
as  to  supply  them.  Mrs.  Hanson,  Mrs.  Brereton,  and  Mrs  Hart  is  their 
names. 


1755.] 


FLIGHT   OF   THE   SETTLEKS. 


186 


On  the  2(1,  with  hi.s  entire  command,  and  two  of 
the  independent  companies,  he  marched  away  from 
the  Fort,  and  did  not  conchide  to  give  up  his  flight 
until  lie  had  reached  Philadelphia. 

Dunbar'.s  abandonment  of  Fort  Cumberland  left 
that  post  under  the  care  of  Colonel  Innes'  small 
couiniiuid,  consisting  of  one  Virginia  company,  and 
II  company  of  Maryland  rangers,  upon  whom  devolved 
the  labor  of  nursing  the  sick  and  wounded,  as  well 
as  of  defending  the  position  from  attack.  There 
were  at  this  time  400  officers  and  men  in  the  hos- 
pitals, disabled  by  wounds  and  sickness. 

The  retreat  of  the  army  had  a  most  disheartening 
effect  upon  the  entire  population  of  the  back  country. 
The  people  heard  of  the  flight  of  the  veteran  troops, 
and  taking  quick  alarm,  most  of  them,  gathering 
together  such  of  their  effects  as  they  could  carry,  tied 
towards  the  Susquehanna.  Everything  was  aban- 
doned, houses,  lands,  growing  crops,  and  stock.  The 
forts  remained  garrisoned  by  small  bodies  of  colonial 
troop.s,and  a  few  hardy  pioneers  determined  if  possible 
to  hold  their  own.  Amongst  these  latter  was  the 
indomitable  Cresap,  who  prepared  for  any  emergency 
that  might  arise. 

The  French  had  no  conception  of  the  effect  of  their 

attack,  and  it  was  some  time  ere  they   learned  the 

terrible   state    of    demoralization   and  panic  which 

followed  their  slaughter  of  Braddock's  army.     They 

were  not   slow    to    take    advantage  of    this    state 

of  affairs,  however,    when   they   became    apprised 

of  it,  and   quickly  the  forests   became   filled   with 

t^avages    and    robbers,   who    extended    their   raids 
24 


186 


HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


almost  as  far  East  as  Winchester,  pillaging  and  mur- 
dering in  the  most  ruthless  manner,  until  the  whole 
country  from  New  York  to  the  heart  of  Virginia 
became  the  tlieatre  of  inhuman  barbarities  and 
heartless  destruction. 

The  defeat  of  Braddock  was  totally  unlooked  for. 
and  it  excited  the  most  painful  surprise,  both  in 
England  and  in  the  Colonies.  The  British  troops 
had  been  looked  upon  as  invincible,  and  preparations 
had  been  made  in  Philadelphia  for  the  celebration  of 
Braddock's  anticipated  victory.  His  defeat  and  his 
death  were,  therefore,  sta^  cling  disappointments,  and 
it  was  plain  that  from  that  time  forward  the  Colon- 
ists had  a  much  less  exaltod  opinion  of  the  \  alor  of 
the  royal  troops. 

Braddock  had  entered  upon  this  campaign  full  of 
confidence,  pride  and  self-reliance.  Ho  was  utterly 
ignorant  of  the  Indian  and  his  mode  of  warfare,  yet 
too  proud  to  receive  instruction  or  advice  upon  the 
subject  at  the  hands  of  his  inferiors  in  military  rark. 
He  was  bigoted  to  an  extent  which  led  him  into  error 
'c^r  to  the  value  of  the  allies  offered  him,  in  the  bands 
of  Indians  and  scouts  who  were  ready  to  join  him. 
and  whoni  he  insulted  and  repelled  by  his  indifference 
and  neglect.  He  entered  upon  the  contest  without 
having  in  any  way  fitted  himself  for  it,  and  the 
brave,  reckless  old  soldier  paid  the  penalty  of  his 
errors  with  his  life.  During  the  fatal  battle 
Washington  had  besought  Braddock  to  permit  him 
to  take  three  hundred  of  the  provincials  and  fight 
the  Indians  after  their  own  method,  assuring  him 
that  they  could  take  to  the  trees   and  quickly  rout 


1755.] 


THO    KILLED    BUADDOCK? 


187 


the  enemy.  To  this  he  would  not  consent,  and 
answered  with  much  warmth,  that  he  w.^g  competent 
to  comnand  the  troops,  and  was  not  yet  reduced  to 
the  extremity  of  asking  advice  or  of  resorting  to 
the  disgraceful  method  of  warfare  in  vogue  with  the 
naked  savages.  This  was  the  only  occasion  upon 
which  lie  aroused  Washington's  anger,  and  even 
then  it  was  quickly  forgotten. 

It  lias  never  been  clearly  settled  whether  Braddock 
died  at  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  or  by  the  act  of  one 
of  his  own  men,  although  the  question  has  been 
largely  discussed,  for  many  years  past.  Thomas 
Fossit,a  soldier  in  Captain  Cholmondeley's  company, 
in  his  later  years  persistently  declared  that  he  shot 
Braddock,  and  that  he  was  justified  in  so  doing. 
Fossit  was  a  large  man,  of  great  strength,  rude  habits, 
and  strong  passions.  He  had  enlisted  at  Shippens- 
btirg,  Pa.,  and  h.ad  a  brother  Joseph  in  the  same 
command,  who  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  the 
Monongahela.  Fossit  was  living  near  the  top  ol' 
Laurel  Hill,  in  1783,  at  the  junction  of  Braddock's 
and  Dunlap's  roads,  where  he  kept  a  small  tavern. 
He  was  then  an  old  man,  but  lived  many  years 
afterwards,  and  died  at  about  the  age  of  J  00  years, 
in  1818.  Fossit  charged  Braddock  with  having 
killed  his  brother  Joseph  b\'  a  stroke  of  his  sword,  for 
having  taken  shelter  liehind  a  tree  during  the  battle, 
and  for  this  reason,  as  well  as  to  save  the  army,  he 
alleged  that  he  shot  the  General. 

Mr.  Winthrop  Sargent  reviews  this  matter  at 
considerable  length,  and  concludes  that  there  was  no 
truth   in    Fossit's  story,  because    he  was    mistaken 


188 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


entirely  in  a  number  of  statements  made  concerning 
the  incidents  of  the  engagement.  There  is  certainly 
no  positive  proof  to  contradict  Fossit's  statement,  and 
it  is  not  surprising  that  at  his  great  age  he  should 
have  forgotten  many  of  the  facts  of  the  transaction, 
dating  back  fifty  years  or  more.  There  is  nothing 
more  probable  than  that  Tom  Fossit,  angered  by 
the  stubbornness  of  the  commander  who  was  deter- 
mined to  sacrifice  the  army  to  his  foolish  ideas  of 
fighting  Indians,  should  have  been  impelled  to  this 
deed  by  revenge  and  hatred,  when  he  witnessed  the 
taking  of  his  brother's  life.     Hon.  Andrew  Stewart. 

when  quite  a  boy,  had 
heard  Fossit  assert  that 
he  shot  Braddock,  and 
at  that  time  his  storj 
was  generally  accepted 
as  the  truth,  as  it  still 
is,  by  nearly  all  the  peo- 
ple living  in  that  part 
of  Pennsylvania,  who 
have  treasured  up  the 
legends  pertaining  to 
the  ill-fated  expedition. 
The  place  of  Brad- 
dock's  sepulture  was 
within  a  few  yards  of 
a  small  stream,  the  banks  of  which  abruptly  sloped 
down  to  the  water,  and  distant  about  two  miles— 
westwardly — from  Fort  Necessity.  The  grave  was 
made  immediately  in  the  road,  about  a  stone's  throw 
from  the  present  National  Road.     When  the  march 


BRADDOCK'S  GU.VVE  IN  1850. 


1755.] 


BRADDOCKS    GRAVE. 


189 


was  resumed  the  horses,  wagons  and  troops  passed 
over  the  grave,  the  purpose  being  to  prevent  its 
discovery  and  desecration  by  the  enemy. 

About  1824,  a  party  of  workmen  engaged  in  repair- 
ing the  old  road,  came  upon  the  remains  of  a  human 
skeleton,  which  was  supposed  to  be  that  of  Braddock. 
Numerous  insignia  of  rank  were  foimd  with  it,  and 
there  was  no  knowledge  of  the  burial  of  any  other 
officer  in  that  vicinity.  Those  who  were  present  on 
the  occasion  carried  away  with  them,  as  souvenirs, 
the  buttons  and  other  metal  articles  which  had  not 
been  destroyed  by  corrosion.  Some  of  the  party 
even  went  so  far  in  the  gratification  of  their  passion 
for  relics,  as  to  make  way  with  several  of  the  small 
I)ones  of  the  hands. 

Mr.  James  Matthews,  a  blacksmith,  who  lived  at 
Mount  Washington,  as  Fort  Necessity  has  since  been 
called,  was  present  on  the  occasion  referred  to,  and 
witnessed  the  disinterment  of  these  remains.  They 
were  carried  to  a  point  about  one  hundred  and  iifty 
yards  Eastward,  and  buried  in  a  field,  at  the  foot  of  a 
large  oak  tree,  some  twenty-five  yards  from  the 
National  Road.  In  order  to  mark  the  spot  more 
clearly  to  strangers,  Hon.  Andrew  Stewart  had 
prepared  a  board  upon  which  was  inscribed  the  fiict 
that  this  was  the  last  resting  place  of  Major  General 
Edward  Braddock,  and  this  board  was  nailed  to  the 
t';ee.  For  twenty-five  years  the  National  Road  was 
tlie  great  highway  between  the  East  and  West,  and 
thousands  of  persons  passed  over  it  annually.  The 
writer  can  well  remember  how,  when  a  boy,  each 
morning  and  evening  long  trains  of  stage  coaches 


190 


HISTORY  OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


arrived  at  and  left  Cumberland  over  thin  great 
highway.  Braddock's  grave  was  one  of  the  great 
points  of  attraction  on  the  road,  and  every  day  tlie 
stages  were  stopped,  in  order  that  the  passengers 
might  disembark  for  a  few  minutes  to  inspect  the 
j)lace.  The  old  oak  tree,  ten  years  since,  fell  a 
victim  to  the  imperious  hand  of  time,  and  during  tlie 
prevalence  of  a  storm  was  blown  down,  the  trunk 


BRADDOCK'S  GRAVE  IN  1877. 

breaking  oft'  some  feet  from  the  ground,  k^aving 
only  a  strij^ped  and  shredded  trunk  to  mark  tlie 
sacred  spot.  The  stump  has  now  entirely  disaj)- 
peared,  and  no  mark  of  the  old  tree  remains.  I" 
1871  a  party  of  gentlemen  from  England  visited  tho 
place,  and  before  leaving  it  they  had  it  enclosed  witli 
a  fence  of  boards  securely  built:  and  thus  it  remains 
to-day. 


I 


1755.] 


BRADDOCKS    GRAVE. 


191 


A  foot  note  in  De  Hass's  History  of  the  Indian 
Wars  of  West  Virginia  states  that  "many  years 
since,  the  remains  of  General  Braddock  were  removed 
to  England,  and  now  rest  with  the  quiet  sleepers  of 
Westminster  Abbey."  Whence  this  information  was 
derived  has  not  transpired.  However,  it  is  certainly 
erroneous.  Those  remains  undoubtedly  still  lie  in 
the  place  above  described,  and  no  inhabitant  of  that 
locality  has  ever  heard  of  their  removal  to  England. 
Those  bones  which  were  carried  away  as  souvenirs 
by  desecrating  curiosity-seekers  were  afterwards 
gathered  together  by  Mr.  Stewart,  and  are  supposed 
to  have  been  deposited  in  Peale's  Museum,  Phila- 
delphia.*      '  ■  -  ,,   .    . 

It  was  Washington's  intention,  when  he  buried 
Braddock,  to  return  at  some  future  day  and  erect  a 
monument  to  his  memory,  but  his  time  was  so  much 
occupied  by  the  events  of  the  years  following  that  it 
was  not  until  after  the  close  of  the  revolutionary 
war  that  he  was  able  to  undertake  the  self-imposed 
task.  In  1784  he  visited  the  place,  for  the  purpose 
indicated,  and  "made  a  dilligent  search  for  the  grave, 
but  the  road  had  been  so  much  turned,  and  the  clear 
land  so  extended  that  it  could  not  be  found."  The 
British  government  is  not  wont  to  neglect  her  soldiers, 
but  she  never  took  the  smallest  notice  of  the  resting 
place  of  Braddock,  and  it  was  left  for  a  stranger's 
liand  to  mark  the  spot  where  he  lay,  more  than  half 
a  century  after  he  fell.  -        - 

The  demoralization  of  the  settlers  generally  after 
the  battle  of  the  Monongahela  was  so  great  that 


•Uy'iPenn*.  3SI. 


192 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[175S 


Governor  Sharpc  again  visited  Fort  Cumberland,  and 
on  his  way  to  that  point,  promised  them  ample 
protection,  wl  ereby  some  were  induced  to  remain 
on  their  plantations. 

Governor  Sharpe  said  of  his  visit  here  at  that 
time:  "I  found  by  Colonel  Dunbar  and  the  other 
officers  at  the  Fort  that  there  had  been  mam 
unhappy  divisions  in  the  army  that  General  Braddock 
commanded.  Himself  and  the  two  Colonels  were 
scarcely  on  speaking  terms,  and  very  few  beside  four 
or  five  favorites  mention  him  with  regret.  It  has 
been  hinted  to  me  that  in  case  he  had  succeeded 
against  the  Fort,  the  several  companies  that  have 
been  raised  in,  and  that  are  supported  by,  these 
Provinces,  would  have  been  regimented,  and  given 
to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Burton,  of  Dunbar's;  Captain 
Morris,  one  of  the  aid-de-camps,  was  to  have  been 
Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  Captain  Dobson  Major,  and 
Captain  Orme,  the  other  aid-de-camp,  was  to  have 
succeeded  Burton  as  Lieutenant-Colonel  in  the  regi- 
ment that  Dunbar  commands." 

Washington,  wliile  dejDrecating  the  lack  of  judg- 
ment shown  by  Braddock,  in  dealing  with  the 
Indians,  was  disposed  to  do  him  the  fullest  justice. 
and  said  of  him:  "He  was  one  of  the  honestest 
and  best  men  of  the  British  officers  with  whom  I 
was  acquainted ;  even  in  the  manner  of  fighting  he 
was  not  to  blame  more  than  others;  for  of  all  that 
were  consulted,  only  one  person  objected  to  it. 
Braddock  was  both  my  General  and  my  physician. 
I  was  attacked  with  a  dangerous  fever  on  the  march. 
and  he  left  a  sergeant  to  take  care  of  me,  and  James 


1755.]  NEWSPAPER   REPORTS   FROM   THE   BORDERS.       193 

fever  powders,  wltli  directions  how  to  give  them,  and 
a  wagon  to  bring  me  on  when  I  should  be  able."* 

Tlie  following  extracts  are  taken  from  the  Mary- 
land Gazette,  of  the  dates  given: 

"Annapolis,  August  21,  1755. 

"  The  latest  account  to  be  depended  on  from  the  Westward  is.  That  a 
Fortniglit  ago  an  Officer,  who  had  been  sent  with  a  Party  of  Men  over 
the  Alleffuny  Hills  to  reconnoitre,  was  returned  to  Fort  Cumberland,  and 
reported,  That  on  his  way  towards  the  Meadows  he  met  with  two  Friend 
Indiiins,  who  expressing  a  great  Regard  for  the  English,  and  for  his 
safely,  advised  him  immediately  to  retire,  and  save  his  Party  from  the 
Hands  of  400  French  and  about  100  Indians,  who  were  then  at  the  Place 
where  Col.  Dunbar  was  encamped,  when  he  received  the  News  of  Gene- 
ral Braddock's  Misfortune. 

"The  Indians  also  told  him,  that  a  Detachment  of  100  French  was 
ordered  to  advance  to  the  Meadows,  and  prepare  some  Materials  for  a 
Place  of  Defence,  which  is  to  be  there  constructed." 


"  Annapolis,  October  2,  1755. 
"  From  Fort  Cumberland  we  learn,  that  oo  the  2l8t  ult.  a  Boy,  who 
was  coming  from  that  Place  with  a  Waggon,  was  wounded  in  the  arm  and 
Back   by  two  Arrows,  that  were  shot  by  an  Indian,  who  lay  concealed 
near  the  Road,  just  on  this  side  Wills's  Creek. 

"The  same  Day  two  Soldiers  that  were  sent  on  Duty  from  the  Fort, 
were  surprized  near  the  same  place,  and  taken  Prisoners  by  five  Indians, 
who  carried  them  towards  Fort  Du  Quesne;  one  of  the  Soldiers  has  since 
given  them  the  Slip,  and  notwithstanding  he  was  dangerously  wounded 
by  a  Tomahawk  in  the  Head,  is  likely  to  recover." 


"Annapolis,  October  9, 1755. 

"We  learn  from  Fort  Cumberland,  that  as  Col.  Stevens  was  going 
thence,  with  a  small  Party  of  Men,  to  Winchester,  he  was  fired  on  at  two 
difi'erent  Places  by  some  Indians  that  lay  concealed  by  the  Road's  side. 
Two  of  the  Virginians  were  killed,  but  the  Enemy  did  not  choose  to  stay 
for  their  scalps. 

"  By  a  Person  who  arrived  in  Town  last  Monday  from  Col.  Crcsap's 
we  are  told,  that  last  Wednesday  Sen'night,  in  the  Morning,  the  Indians 
had  taken  a  Man  Prisoner,  who  was  going  to  Fort  Cumberland  from 
I'Vazier's,  and  had  also  carried  off  a  woman  from  Frazier's  Plantation,, 
which  is  four  Miles  on  this  side  Fort  Cumberland.  The  same  Morning 
they  fell  in  with  a  Man  and  his  Wife,  who  had  left  their  Plantations,  and 

♦Hon.  Wm.  Findley's  letter.  XIV  Niles  Eegister,  179. 

25 


194 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


wore  retiring  into  the  more  populous  Parts  of  the  Country;  they  shot  tlie 
Horse  on  which  the  Man  rid,  but  as  it  did  not  fall  immediately  he  mndp 
his  Kacape;  the  Woman,  it  is  supposed,  fell  into  their  Hands,  as  neithtr 
she  nor  the  Horse  on  which  she  was  riding,  have  been  since  seen  or 
heard  of. 

"  The  same  Party  of  Indians  have  also  killed  or  carried  off  Benjamin 
Rogers,  his  Wife,  and  seven  Children,  and  Edmund  Marie  of  Frpderick 
County.  On  Patterson's  Creek  many  Families  have,  within  this  Month 
been  murdered,  carried  away,  or  burnt  in  their  llousea,  by  a  Party  of 
these  Barbarians,  who  have  entirely  broke  up  that  settlement. 

"  Another  Person,  who  left  Stoddert's  Fort  last  Sunday,  acquaints  us 
that  the  Inhabitants  of  that  Part  of  the  Country  were  in  the  greatest 
Consternation;  that  near  80  Persons  were  fled  to  the  said  Fort  for  Pro- 
tection, and  many  more  gone  off  in  the  greatest  Confusion  to  Pennsylvania. 
This,  it  seems,  has  been  occasioned  by  an  Express  that  was  sent  Lieuten- 
ant Stoddert  and  the  Neighborhood,  by  Col.  Cresap,  advising  them,  that 
a  Party  of  17  Indians  had  j)a8sed  by  his  House,  and  had  cut  off  some 
People,  who  dwelt  on  the  Town  Creek,  which  is  a  few  Miles  on  this 
side  Col.  Cresap's :  One  Daniel  AshlofiF,  who  lived  near  that  Creek,  is 
come  down  towards  Conococheague,  and  gives  the  same  account.  He 
says  also,  that  as  himself  and  Father,  with  several  others,  were  re- 
tiring from  their  plantations,  last  Saturday,  they  were  attacked  l)y  the 
same  Indians,  as  he  supposes,  and  all  but  himself  were  killed  or  taken 
Prisoners.  It  is  said  that  Mr.  Stoddert  who  has  a  Command  of  15 
Men,  invited  a  few  of  the  Neighborhood  to  join  him,  and  to  go  in 
Quest  of  the  Enemy,  but  they  would  not  be  persuaded;  whereupon  he 
applied  himself  to  Major  Prather  for  a  Detachment  of  the  Militia, 
either  to  go  with  a  Party  of  his  Men  in  Pursuit  of  the  Savages,  or 
garrison  his  Fort,  while  he  made  an  Excursion.  We  hope  there  will 
be  no  Backwardness  in  the  Militia  to  comply  with  such  a  reasonable 
Request,  especially  as  any  Party  or  Person  that  shall  take  an  Enemy 
Prisoner,  will  be  rewarded  with  Six  Pounds  Currency;  and  the  Person 
who  will  kill  an  Enemy,  with  Four  Pounds,  provided  he  can  produce 
Witnesses,  or  the  Enemy's  Scalp,  in  Testimony  of  such  action." 

"  Annapolis,  October  23,  n5f). 

"  We  hear  that  a  Party  of  31  Volunteers,  under  the  Command  of 
Capt.  Alexander  Beall  and  Lieutenant  Samuel  Wade  Magruder,  marched 
from  the  lower  Part  of  Frederick  County  towards  the  Western  Frontiers 
last  Saturday. 

"  It  is  said  that  Col.  Henry  Ridgely  will  take  the  same  Rout,  with 
a  Party  of  thirty  Volunteers,  next  Saturday. 

"  We  hear  that  next  Monday  a  Party  of  Volunteers,  of  about  GO 
young  hearty  Men,  will  set  out  for  the  Westward,  from  Prince  George's 


1755.] 


THE   MARYLAND   ASSEMBLY. 


195 


County,  for  the  assistiuicc  and  Defence  of  our  distressed  Friends  in  the 
back  Parts  of  this  Province." 

Up  to  this  time  Maryland  liad  put  no  troops  in  the 
field,  save  a  few  companies  of  rangers;  and  previous 
to  Washington's  defeat  at  Fort  Necessity  she  refused 
to  do  anything  towaixls  defraying  the  expenses  of  the 
Avar.  After  the  Fort  Necessity  affair,  however,  the 
Assembly  was  convened,  and  without  delay  £6,000 
was  appropriated,  to  be  expended  under  direction  of 
(loveriior  Sharpe  for  the  defense  of  the  frontiers,  and 
the  support  of  the  wives  and  children  of  the  Indian 
allies.  Several  appropriation  bills  were  defeated  by 
an  unfortunate  difference  which  arose  between  the 
two  Houses  as  to  how  the  revenues  should  be  raised ; 
and  thus  Maryland  took  no  part  in  Braddock's 
campaign.  She  was  both  willing  and  able  to  do  so, 
but  the  objection  of  the  upper  house  to  the  con- 
tinuance of  the  duty  on  convicts,  which  the  lower 
house  proposed,  led  to  a  long  continued  dispute, 
whereby  ajipropriations  were  prevented.  The  dis- 
astrous result  of  the  campaign  of  1755,  however,  so 
thoroughly  aroused  the  people  of  Maryland,  that 
when  the  Assembly  was  called  together  by  the 
Governor,  the  lower  house  yielded  its  position  in 
order  that  the  necessary  taxes  might  be  levied  and 
^collected.  They  recognized  the  fact  that  instant 
action  was  imperative.  The  settlers  were  in  terror, 
and  hundreds  were  fleeing  from  their  homes. 
Conococheague  Creek  was  the  boundary,  beyond 
which  few  settlements  had  extended.  Fort  Cumber- 
land was  in  a  wilderness  uninhabited  by  civilized 
meii,  save  those  venturesome  trappers  and  hunters 


196 


IIISTOFY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


W  Sis' ' 


who  had  made  themselves  homes  near  the  Port;  it 
was  separated  from  the  settlements  Eastward  by  an 
almost  trackless  forest,  eighty  miles  in  extent. 
and  was  easily  flanked,  both  on  the  North  and  tlie 
South,  so  that  it  presented  no  obstacle  to  tlie 
predatory  bands  of  savages  that  attacked  the  fron- 
tiersmen in  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania.  The  settlers 
were  compelled,  therefore,  to  provide  means  for 
their  own  defense.  They  built  stoccade  "forts,"  en- 
closing their  houses,  and  thus  each  man's  home 
became  a  castle,  which  was  often  the  scene  of  heroic 
defense,  and  not  unfrequently  of  heartrending 
disaster,  when  savage  cunning  overcame  Spartan 
courage.  Those  who  were  unable  to  erect  these 
"forts"  relied  for  safety  upon  the  means  afforded  by 
their  more  fortunate  neighbors,  and  in  case  of  alarm 
they  repaired  with  their  families  to  the  nearest 
stockade. 

On  the  assembling  of  the  Legislature  the  emergen- 
cies of  the  situation  were  clearly  set  forth,  and 
£40,000  was  at  once  voted  as  a  fund  for  defense. 
£11,000  of  this  was  to  be  applied  to  the  building  of 
a  fort  and  blockhouse  on  the  Western  borders,  and 
sustaining  a  garrison  therein;  and  £25,000  was 
appropriated  in  aid  of  any  expedition  for  the  general 
service."  In  175G  Pnrt  Frederick  was  commenced, 
and  before  the  close  of  the  year  it  was  garrisoned 
with  two  hundred  men.  This  fort  was  built  ujion  an 
elevated  plateau,  about  one  fourth  of  a  mile  from  the 
Potomac.  It  was  constructed  of  the  stone  so  plentiful 
in  that  neighborhood,  and  its  walls  were  some  fifteen 
feet  in  height,  with  bastioned  corners.     As  a  place  of 


1755.] 


FORT   FREDERICK. 


107 


(lefciipc  against  Hmall  arms  it  was  all  that  could  be 
(Icsirt'd,  but  was  not  calculated  to  rcHist  an  artillery 
attack.  The  shape  of  the  fort  was  quadrangular, 
ciicli  of  its  exterior  lines  being  three  hundred  and 
sixty  feet  in  length,  and  its  walls  strengthened  with 
earth  embankments.  The  work  was  dcme  in  the 
most  substantial  manner,  as  it  was  designed  for 
permanent  use,  and  the  expense  of  construction  was 
something  more  than  £0,000.  Barracks  sufticient 
tor  the  accommodation  of  three  hundred  men  were 
erected  inside,  as  well  as  a  substantial  magazine. 
Tilt'  walls  of  this  fort  are  still  standing,  firm  and 
strong,  covered  with  wild  vines,  and  shaded  by  the 
tolirtge  of  large  trees  which  grow  in  the  enclosure. 
It  is  thirteen  miles  east  of  Hancock,  and  maybe  seen 
from  the  railroad  cars  in  passing  over  the  Baltimore 
and  Ohio  Road. 

Washington  remained  at  Fort  Cumberland  a  few 
(lays  on  his  return  after  the  battle,  in  order  to  recruit 
iiis  strength,  and  then  took  his  departure  for  Mount 
Vernon,  at  which  place  he  arrived  on  the  26tli  of 
July,  still  suffering  from  the  effects  of  his  illness. 
Ho  was  greatly  depressed  in  spirits,  in  consequence 
of  the  result  of  the  campaign,  in  which  he  had 
suffered  a  very  considerable  pecuniary  loss,  in  the 
matter  of  his  horses  and  general  outfit. 

Colonel  Innes,  being  left  at  Fort  Cumberland  with 
only  a  very  small  force  of  provincial  troops,  did  all 
that  was  possible  to  alleviate  the  sufferings  of  the 
wounded  soldiers  under  his  care.  Many  of  them 
(lied  and  were  buried  on  the  hillside  near  the  Fort. 
Others  recovered  and  were  assigned  to  duty.     Great 


198 


HISTORY   OF  CUMUEKLAND. 


[175:1. 


care  was  taken  by  him  to  luive  the  Fort  kept  in  the 
most  perfect  order.  The  men  were  recjuirt'd  to 
thoroughly  clean  the  camp  and  their  (|uarter.s  eiioli 
day,  and  every  precaution  was  observed  to  avoid  a 
surprise  l)y  the  enemy,  which  might  be  attempted  at 
any  moment. 

After  ]inwldock's  army  had  left  Fort  Cumlxirliirid. 
on  the  9th  of  June,  for  the  advance  on  Fort 
Duquesne,  the  Indians  mmle  their  appearance  with 
great  frequency  and  the  utmost  audacity.  Knowiii;: 
the  weakness  of  the  garrison,  they  had  on  several 
occasions  approached  the  Fort  and  fired  upon  it,  but 
without  doing  any  damage.  Not  being  ))old  enough, 
or  strong  enough,  to  attack  it,  they  devoted  them- 
selves to  murder  and  plunder  wherever  opportunity 
offered,  and  several  settlers  were  killed  in  the  immi- 
diate  vicinity  of  the  Fort,  Others  were  taken 
prisoners  and  carried  off'.  The  number  of  persons 
who  thus  fell  victims  to  savage  cruelty  in  a  few 
weeks  was  twenty-six. 

Governor  Sharpe  remained  some  time  at  the  Fort. 
upon  his  visit  after  Braddock's  disaster,  and  on  the 
11th  of  August  he  declared  liis  conviction  that  Fort 
Cumberland  was  not  a  proper  place  for  a  grand 
magazine.  He  had  consulted  with  the  engineers  ol 
the  Jirmy,  who  unanimously  agreed  with  him  in 
this  conclusion,  because  the  Fort  was  badly  l(K',ate(l 
being  commanded  by  adjacent  hills  on  two  sides. 

During  the  month  of  August  the  sick  and  wounded 
were  removed  to  Fredericktown,  Colonel  Innes  fearing 
that  he  might  be  besieged  by  an  enemy  which  would 
prove  strong  enough  to  capture  the  Fort.,    Governor 


1755.] 


INDIAN    MASSACRES. 


199 


SImrpo  advised  him  in  case  of  such  an  attack,  nliould 
it  iippt'ar  that  he  wouhl  ho  iinahle  to  hold  the  Fort, 
to  set  fnx'  to  it,  and  retire  at  once.  After  the 
(icpiirturc  of  the  men  who  had  been  k^ft  in  the 
hospital  the  }j;arrifl(m  amounted  tobarely  one  hundred, 
iiiid  they  became  in  a  Hhort  time  almost  insubordi- 
iiiite,  the  reins  of  discipline  bein}^  greatly  relaxed. 

Maryland  sent  a  small  company  of  volunteer 
soldiers  to  the  Fort,  in  September,  which  was  under 
oominaud  of  Captain  Dugworthy,  whom  Governor 
Sliarpe  had  commissioned.  The  strength  of  the 
•rarrison  was  thtis  swelled  to  one  hundred  and  thirty- 
seven  men. 

Foit  Cumberland  had  never  supplied  the  settlers 
with  the  protection  they  needed,  and  many  fell 
victims  to  the  tomahawk  and  scalping  knife.  On  the 
24th  of  June  the  savages  had  fallen  upon  two 
Dunilios  within  four  miles  of  the  Fort,  and  near  the 
river,  and  killed  six  men,  women  and  children.  On 
the  26th  they  killed  seven  more,  inflicting  upon  them 
tlie  most  inhuman  outrages.  In  this  latter  affair  the 
Indians  attacked  the  house  of  a  settler,  and  toraa- 
Imwked  a  woman  and  three  children;  the  husband 
seized  his  gun  and  fired  upon  the  assailants,  but 
without  effect.  One  of  the  Indians  fired  upon  him, 
iiiid  the  ball  passed  through  his  mouth;  he  then 
sprang  through  a  back  door  and  ran  towards  the 
woods,  when  another  shot  struck  him  in  the  thigh, 
inflicting  a  severe  wound.  He  managed,  however, 
to  reach  the  Fort.  A  boy  who  was  in  the  house 
was  struck  npon  the  head  with  a  tomahawk  and 
knocked  down,  after  which  he  was  scalped,  his 
assailants  supposing  him  dead.     In  a  little  while  he 


200 


IIISTORY   OF    CUMBERLAND. 


[1755, 


recovered  his  senses^  .and  found  the  Indians  engaged 
in  plunder.  Fearing  they  would  murder  him,  he 
remained  quiet  and  feigned  death.  While  lying  thus 
his  mother,  whose  head  had  been  crushed  by  a  blow 
of  the  tomahawk,  somewhat  recovered,  and  attempted 
to  rise  u]),  when  one  of  the  Indians  seized  her  by  the 
hair,  twisted  it  about  his  hand,  and  passing  his  knife 
around  her  head,  with  a  tremendous  jerk  tore  off 
the  bleeding  scalp.  As  soon  as  the  Indians  left,  the 
bov  fled  from  the  house,  and  ran  into  the  river. 
afterwards  making  his  way  to  the  Fort. 

About  the  1st  of  October  a  war  party  of  Indians 
made  a  descent  upon  the  families  living  near  the 
Fort,  of  whom  there  were  a  number  on  both  sides  of 
the  Potomac,  some  near  Colonel  Cresap's  house,  and 
others  a  few  miles  east  of  the  Fort.  A  letter  written 
by  Dagworthy  at  the  time  said:  "It  is  supposed 
that  nejir  one  hundred  persons  have  been  murdered 
or  carried  r^way  prisoners  by  these  Barbarians  who 
have  burnt  the  houses  and  ravaged  all  the  Planta- 
tions in  that  part  of  the  country.  Parties  of  the 
enemy  appear  within  sight  of  Fort  Cumberland  every 
day,  and  frequently  in  greater  numbers  than  the 
garrison  consists  of" 

A  short  distance  east  of  the  Fort,  nenr  the  river's 
bank,  two  trappers  had  built  themselves  houses,  and 
had  brought  their  families  there  to  settle.  About 
the  4 til  of  October  a  party  of  savages  suddenly  math' 
their  .appearance,  completely  surrounding  ihe  housef*. 
and  taking  the  people  by  surprise.  Before  the  men 
could  catch  up  their  arms  they  were  shot  down,  and 
scalped  in  the  presence  of  their  terror-stricken 
families.     The    houses   were    plundered,  and   then 


[1755 


1755.] 


WASHINGTON    COMMANDER    IN    CHIEF. 


201 


engaged 
liim,  lie 
ing  tlub 
f  a  blow 
tempted 
r  by  the 
lin  knife 
tore  ofl' 
loft,  tlie 
le  river, 

Indiiiiis 
near  the 
1  sides  of 
Duse,  and 
r  written 
supposed 
[lurdered 
aus  who 
Planta- 
|s  of  the 
11(1  every 
Ihan  the 

riverV 
Ises.  and 

About 

ly  made 

1  houses. 

lie  men 

ivn,  and 

Itricken 

ll   then 


burned  to  the  ground,  the  women  and  childron  being 
carried  off  as  prisoners,  doubtless  to  a  more  horrible 
fate,  as  they  were  never  afterwards  heard  of. 

Four  other  fjimilies,  still  closer  to  the  Fort,  were 
surprised  by  another  war  party  a  few  days  earlier. 
On  this  occasion  the  Indians  crept  stealthily  up  to 
within  a  short  distance  of  their  unsuspecting  victims, 
fired  upon  and  killed  the  men,  and  then  tomahawked 
every  living  person  they  found.  They  tore  the 
bleeding  scaljis  from  the  still  breathing  bodies,  and 
with  taunting  yells  approached  the  fort  and  waved 
the  scalps  in  the  air,  in  full  view  of  the  garrison. 
After  burning  the  houses  of  the  settlers  the  savages 
departed  tow^ards  the  north. 

On  the  14th  of  August,  only  twenty  days  after  his 
return  to  Mount  Vernon,  as  a  private  citizen, 
Washington  received  intidligence  of  his  appointment 
as  commander-in-chief  of  the  Virginia  forces.  He 
not  only  had  not  sought  this  appointment,  but  had 
declared  that  he  would  not  accept  it  unless  he  could 
be  assured  of  the  rank  and  emoluments  to  which  the 
office  was  entitled;  be  authorized  to  name  his  field 
officers,  and  guaranteed  such  supplies  as  were  neces- 
sary, promptly.  All  his  requirements  were  complied 
with,  and  he  was  commissioned  as  commander-in-chief 
of  all  the  forces  raised,  or  to  be  raised,  in  the  colony. 
Governor  Dinwiddle  undoubtedly  made  this  appoint- 
ment under  the  pressure  of  public  opinion,  as  it  was 
well  known  he  desired  to  promote  Colonel  Innes  to 
the  position,  and  from  that  time  forward  Dinwiddle 
was  never  cordial  with  the  new  commander.     Captain 

Adam  Stephens,  who  had  been  w^th  Washington  at 
26 


202 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1755. 


Great  Meadows,  was  made  Lieutenant-Colonel.  On 
the  14th  of  September  Wasliington  went  to  Win- 
chester, where  he  made  his  headquarters,  and 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Stephens  went  forward  to  Fort 
Cumberland.  After  getting  matters  in  a  satisfactory 
shape  at  Winchester,  and  sending  out  his  recruiting 
officers,  Washington  made  a  tour  of  inspection  of  all 
the  outposts,  from  Fort  Cumberland  to  Fort  Din- 
widdie,  on  Jackson's  river,  and  in  order  to  facilitate 
military  movements  he  built  a  shorter  and  hotter 
road  between  Winchester  and  Fort  Cumberland,  for 
the  passage  of  troops  and  supplies. 

In  the  latter  part  of  this  year  the  old  quarrel  a.s 
tx)  rank  between  provincial  officers  and  those  holding 
royal  commissions  was  renewed  at  Fort  Cumberland. 
and  it  led  to  many  and  bitter  disputes.  Governor 
Sharpe  had  sent  Captain  Dagworthy  to  the  Fort  with 
a  company  of  thirty  men,  which  had  been  raised  in 
Maryland,  and  were  the  first  troops  furnished  by 
that  colony.  Dagworthy  had  held  a  royal  comnu!*- 
sion,  in  the  preceding  war  in  Canada,  and  although 
he  had  disposed  of  the  comn)ission  for  half-pa}',  1k' 
assumed  n  »w  to  command  all  provincial  officers,  no 
matter  how  high  their  rank  might  be. 

In  November,  Governor  Innes  was  called  to  liis 
home  in  North  (Jnrolina  to  look  after  his  estates,  ami 
before  leaving  he  turned  over  the  command  of  tiie 
Fort  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Stephens.  But  no  sooner 
had  Colonel  Innes  departed  than  Captain  Dagwortliy 
issued  an  order  assuming  command  in  despite  of  the 
protest  of  the  officer  left  in  (diarge  by  the  Governor 
of  the  Fort.     This  assumption  on   Dagworthy  s  psirt 


175G. 


175G.] 


THE   DISPUTE    AS   TO   RANK. 


203 


caused  wrangling  and  insubordination  amongst  the 
ofliccrs  of  inferior  grade,  all  of  whom  took  sides. 
The  Fort  being  in  Maryland,  Governor  Siiarpe  was 
slow  to  curtail  Dagworthy's  pretensions,  and  appeared 
rather  to  sustain  him.  Governor  Dinwiddle  argued 
that  the  location  of  the  Fort  should  not  aflect  the 
matter  at  all,  as  it  was  a  "king's  fort,"  built  by  an 
order  sent  to  him  from  the  king,  chiefly  by  troops  in 
the  pay  of  the  king,  and  that  it  could  not  in  any  way 
be  regarded  as  under  Maryland  authority.  The 
disputes  upon  the  question  of  rank  continued 
throughout  the  entire  winter,  and  Dagworthy  persist- 
ently adhered  to  his  right  to  the  command,  even 
after  Washington  himself  arrived  at  the  Fort. 
Dinwiddle  declared  that  it  was  preposterous  for  a 
Captain  in  command  of  only  thirty  men  to  pretend 
to  outrank  a  Colonel  who  was  Commander-in-Chief  of 
all  the  Virginia  forces;  but  as  Fort  Cumberland  was 
in  Maryland,  Dinwiddle  would  not  issue  any  orders 
concerning  the  matter,  and  Washington  then  declared 
that  unless  the  dispute  was  settled  and  his  authority 
established  he  would  resign  his  commission.  In 
order  to  secure  a  settlement  of  the  question,  it  was 
determined  to  refer  it  to  Major-General  Shirley, 
Braddock's  successor  as  General  in  command  of  the 
colonies.  The  oflicers  desired  Washington  to  present 
tlie  matter  in  })erson,  and  on  the  4  th  of  February,  1750, 
lu'  set  out  upon  a  journey  to  the  General's  headquar- 
ters at  Boston,  a  distance  of  five  hundred  miles, 
accompanied  by  Captain  Mercer,  his  aid-de-camp,  and 
Captain  Stewart,  of  the  Virginia  light-horse.  Thi' 
journ(!}    was    made;     upon    horseback,   the     young 


204 


UISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1756. 


officers  being  dressed  in  the  most  stylish  uniforms, 
and  accompanied  by  their  blaclc  servants. 
^  General  Shirley  received  Washington  with  the 
utmost  kindness,  and  entertained  him  in  the  most 
hospitable  manner.  The  question  as  to  his  rank, 
and  Dagworthy's  pretensions,  was  fully  discussed,  and 
Washington  delivered  to  the  General  a  letter  from 
Governor  Dinwiddle,  bearing  date  January  23, 175G, 
of  which  the  following  is  an  extract : 

"  Gov.  Sharpe  has  not  answered  your  Excellency's  intentions  in 
removinn;  the  Dispute  between  Col.  Washinj^ton  and  Capt.  Dapworthy; 
he  has  ordered  him  to  keep  the  command  of  the  Fort,*  which  he  does  in 
an  absolute  manner.  We  have  purchased  and  laid  in  provisions  for 
1,000  men  for  one  year  ;  as  the  Fort  was  the  most  safe  place,  they  were 
deposited  there,  and  a  commissary  appointed  at  the  charpje  of  this 
country,  he  will  not  allow  him  to  discharge  his  duty,  but  refuses  any 
of  the  provisions  to  be  touched  but  by  his  order;  and  though  the  provis- 
ions are  supply'd  by  this  country,  he  insists  on  a  right  to  supply  his  own 
men  from  our  magazine,  tho'  Maryland  pays  no  part  of  the  charj;e;  he 
otherways  acts  in  an  arbitrary  manner,  &  insists  on  his  Rank  superior  to 
any  of  our  officers,  and  he  has  not  above  '.^0  men,  when  Col.  Wasiiington 
has  upwards  of  500. 

"  This  Fort  was  built  by  virtue  of  His  Majesty's  instructions  to  me, 
and  by  my  orders  to  Col.  James  Innes,  then  in  the  pay  of  this  colony,  and 
with  a  great  charge  to  this  country.  It's  true  it  happens  to  be  in 
Maryland,  but  I  presume  His  Majesty  has  .1  right  to  build  a  Fort  where 
he  pleases  in  any  of  his  colonies ;  and  the  guns  mounted  are  guns  sent 
by  His  Majesty  for  the  service  of  Virginia ;  it  cannot  reasonably  be 
suggested  that  His  Majesty  intended  them  for  the  Proprietor  of 
Maryland. 

"  General  Braddock  gave  a  commission  to  Colonel  Innes  to  be  Gov- 
ernor of  the  Fort;  his  private  affairs  calling  him  to  his  estate,  in  North 
Carolina,  he  appointed  Lieut.  Col.  Stephens  to  command  in  his  absence, 
Capt.  Dagworthy,  with  his  pretended  rank,  wrested  the  command  from 
him  without  any  rule  but  his  commission  of  Captain  in  the  Canada 
Expedition,  tho'  not  on  the  half  pay  list,  but  received  a  sum  of  money  in 
lieu  ;  by  accepting  that  money  I  am  of  opinion  he  revoked  his  com- 
mission. 


♦Oovprnor  Kliarpe  had  ordered  Captain  D«i»wortliy  to  cnnflne  his  authority  to    troops  withl» 
lite  Fort  oJoue,  aud  not  to  attempt  to  coiumaud  thoue  iu  ths  camp. 


175G.] 


THE   DISPUTE   AS   TO   RANK. 


205 


"This  afTair  makes  such  noise  here  that  I  thought  it  necessary  to 
for'd  Col.  Wash iD/;f ton  to  you,  who  can  be  more  particular.  If  I  was  to 
cull  the  assembly  now,  I  know  this  affair  has  raised  the  rancour  of  the 
people  so  much  that  they  would  go  into  extremes  of  resentment,  and  do 
no  business  for  the  service.  I  am  sorry  I  hare  occasion  to  be  so  long  on 
this  nffair,  but  as  it  makes  much  noise  here,  and  without  you  interpose 
your  authority,  I  do  not  know  what  will  be  the  consequence  ;  as  formerly, 
I  desire  the  favor  of  a  Brevet  commission  to  Col.  Washington,  and  to  the 
other  Field  officers,  and  that  you  would  please  to  reinstate  Col.  Stephens 
to  tlie  command  of  the  Fort  tilt  Governor  Innes  returns.  As  commander- 
incliief  of  the  forces  this  is  in  your  power  only,  and  without  some 
regulution  in  regard  to  this  unhappy  dispute  I  shall  not  be  able  to  do 
anytliing  with  our  Assembly. 

•'  I  forgot  to  mention  that  Fort  Cumberland  being  a  King's  Fort,  I 
cannot  conceive  that  the  proprietor  Governor  can  have  any  Right  to 
appoint  a  Governor,  and  more  so  as  it  has  been  built  by  this  government ; 
the  Right  is  in  you,  and  I  doubt  not  you  will  assume  it  in  order  to  restore 
Peace." 

After  reading  this  letter,  and  hearing  still  further 
details  from  Washington,  General  Shirley  put  a  final 
end  to  all  difficulties  as  to  rank,  by  writing  as 
follows  to  Governor  Sharpe : 


Boston,  March  5,  1756. 


Sir: 


Inclosed  is  the  extract  of  a  letter  which  I  have  lately  received  by 
Col.  Washington  from  Gov.  Dinwiddie,  calling  upon  me  to  determine  the 
right  of  command  between  him  and  Capt.  Dagworthy. 

You  was  pleased  to  assure  me  at  New  York  that  you  would  send 
Buch  orders  to  Capt.  Dagworthy  as  would  put  an  end  to  this  dispute,  and 
afterwards  that  you  had  actually  done  it, 

I  should  be  extremely  unwilling  to  do  anything  that  might  appear  in 
the  least  disagreeable  to  any  gentleman  who  had  the  Honour  of  bearing 
His  Majesty's  commission,  and  should  have  been  glad  that  no  such  dis- 
pute had  come  before  me.  But  as  the  command  I  am  honored  with  from 
His  Majesty  obliges  me  upon  all  occasions  to  act  the  best  for  his  service, 
I  must  desire  that  Capt,  Dagworthy  may  be  removed  from  Fort  Cumber- 
land: or  ac(iuainted  that  if  he  remains  there,  he  must  put  himself  under 
the  command  of  Col.  Washington. 

I  have  taken  some  time  to  consider  this  point,  and  cannot  think 
that  Capt.  Dagworthy,  who  now  acts  under  a  Provincial  commission,  has 
any  right  to  the  command,  as  there  are  no  regular  troops  joined  with 
those  troops  now  at  Fort  Cumberland,  which  would  be  the  only  circum- 


20G 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[175G. 


stance  that  could  oeeusioii  a  dispute  concerning  the;  riglit  of  Provinciiil 
field  olTicers  to  command  in  preference  to  Captains  bearinjj  cniiimisainns 
from  His  MiijeKty. 

I  should  have  sent  iny  orders  to  Capt.  iJaijworthy  through  my  aid 
decamp,  but  as  you  have  proposed  to  me  to  give  him  such  as  woulij 
clj'ectually  remove  the  occasion  of  the  dispute,  I  can't  but  hope  you  will 
still  do  it ;  and  I  think,  besides,  as  he  now  acts  under  a  Provincial  com. 
mission  it  will  be  more  regular  that  they  should  be  transmitted  to  him 
from  you. 

With  respect  to  Fort  Cumberland,  I  am  in  for-  'd  by  Capt.  Morris. 
my  aid-de-camp,  that  the  late  General  Braddock  had  private  instructions 
from  His  R.  H.  the  Duke,  to  put  it  in  a  condition  to  contain  a  garrison  of 
200  men,  and  that  he  appointed  Col.  Junes  Gov'r  of  it,  which  was  given 
out  in  orders;  if  that  be  so  the  matter  must  remain  on  the  same  foot  he 
put  it  upon. 

1  am  with  great  Regard,  Sir, 
Your  Honour's  Most  Obedient 

Humble  Servant, 

W.  SHIRLEY. 

Upon  concluding  his  mission  to  Boston,  Washing- 
ton set  out  on  his  return  to  Virginia,  spending  some 
ten  dfiys,  however,  in  New  York,  where  he  became 
greatly  enamored  with  Miss  Phillipse,  a  very  elegant 
young  lady,  with  whom  he  became  acquainted,  and 
who  afterwards  was  married  to  Captain  Morris,  his 
fellow  aid-de-camp  while  with  Braddock.  In  Marcii 
he  was  in  Williamsburg,  endeavoring  to  secure  the 
legislation  necessary  to  secure  the  frontiers,  and  to 
enable  him  to  march  again  on  Fort  Duquesne,  wliieh 
he  was  most  anxious  to  capture.  He  returned 
shortly  afterward  to  Winchester,  where  he  received 
most  startling  news  as  to  the  depredations  of  the 
savages  on  the  borders. 

The  Indians  had  penetrated  the  country  almost  to 
Winchester,  and  everywhere  they  were  murdering 


175().] 


INDIAN    INCURSIONS. 


207 


and  scalping  the  inhabitant!^.  lie  determined  then, 
to  enter  the  woods,  and  punish  the  redskins.  With 
this  object  in  view  he  sent  a  courier  to  Fort  Cum- 
berland for  troops,  intending  to  take  them,  with  such 
militia  as  he  could  organize,  and  go  in  search  of  the 
t'liomy.  He  quickly  discovered,  however,  that  this 
project  would  have  to  be  abandoned.  The  forests 
about  F'ort  Cumberland  were  literally  alive  with 
hidians,  who  were  constantly  devising  stratagems 
tor  destroying  tlie  Fort  and  garrison.  The  troops 
here  had  been  sent  out  in  various  directions  to 
punish  such  parties  of  French  and  Indians  as  they 
might  be  able  to  overcome,  and  to  rescue  settlers. 
Those  left  in  the  Fort  were  scarcely  strong  enough 
to  defend  it,  and  not  a  man  could  be  spared.  The 
courier  returned  to  Winchester,  and  reported  these 
tacts.  On  his  return  he  narrowly  escaped  with  his 
life,  as  upon  leaving  the  Fort  the  Indians  fired  upon 
him,  and  endeavored  to  cut  him  off.  His  horse  was 
sliot  under  him,  and  his  clothes  were  cut  in  several 
places  by  bullets.  Governor  Innes,  who  had  returned, 
and  was  in  command  of  the  Fort,  declared  that  he 
could  do  no  more  than  maintain  his  position,  and  if  his 
force  should  be  reduced  he  -^vould  be  compelled  to 
abandon  the  post  at  once.  Not  only  did  Washington 
thus  fail  to  get  the  troops  he  expected,  but  the 
militia  neglected  also  to  res^jond  to  his  call. 

The  Virginia  Assembly,  seeing  the  necessity  of 
prompt  action,  appropriated  £20,000,  and  proposed 
the  establishment  of  a  chain  of  forts  along  the 
AUeglianies  from  the  Potomac  to  the  borders  of 
North  (Carolina.     This  did  not   meet    Washington's 


i 


208 


HISTORY  OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[175G. 


1 


views.  lie  advised  tlie  construction  of  a  strong  fort 
at  Winchester,  which  should  be  a  central  point  for 
supplies  and  defense.  lie  said  "Fort  Cumberland  is 
of  little  use;  there  is  not  an  inhabitant  liviiiL' 
between  it  and  Winchester,  except  a  few  settlements 
about  the  Fort,  and  a  few  families  at  Edwards's,  on 
the  Cacapehon.  At  Fort  Cumberland  I  would  have 
one  company  to  garrison  the  place  to  secure  it,  to 
procure  the  earliest  intelligence,  and  to  cover 
detachments  sent  to  the  Ohio  River,  which  is  all  tlie 
use  it  can  ever  be  put  to."  His  advice  as  to  makinf; 
the  fort  at  Winchester  a  strong  central  point  was 
adopted,  and  Fort  Loudon  was  the  result — the  name 
being  given  in  honor  of  the  commanding  General 
who  succeeded  Shirley.  The  plan  for  a  chain  of 
forts  was  persisted  in,  the  projected  number  being 
twenty-three. 

Fort  Cumberland  was  still  maintained,  however, 
and  at  great  expense.  Colonel  Innes  found  it  neces- 
sary in  the  spring,  a  second  time  to  go  to  his  home. 
and  on  this  occasion  he  left  Major  James  Livingston 
in  command. 

Colonel  Innes  was  beyond  question  a  gentleman  of 
much  prudence,  and  one  who  had  a  high  regard  for 
his  "Perquisites;"  besides  being  rather  eccentric  in 
his  orthography.  Mr.  Brantz  Mayer  has  kindly 
furnished  a  copy  of  an  original  letter  which  came  into 
his  possession  through  Hon.  Alexander  R.  Botoler, 
and  which  was  written  by  Governor  Innes  at  the 
time  of  turning  over  the  command  of  the  Fort  to 
Major  Livingston.  It  is  quite  an  interesting  docu- 
ment, and  is  as  follows : 


175G.] 


AFFAIRS   AT  THE   FORT. 


209 


By  James  Inncs  Msqr  Govr  of  Fort  Cumberlund, 

May  2«th  1756. 
To  The  Fort  Major  of  said  Fort  or  to  bis  assistant  when  absent  on  his 
Mnj's  Service. 
You  are  to  See  that  all  the  Out  Doors  of  that  Roe  of  Barracks  next 
to  Potoniack  or  fasing  the  New  Store  be  made  Stench  &  Strong  not  to  be 
opened  upon  any  account  whatever.  That  the  Camp  CuUermen  be 
Appointed  &  to  keep  the  Garrison  Sweet  &  clean. 

Ail  the  Ilowses  &  hutts  on  the  Botlome  or  near  the  Garison  Not  being 
imediatt'ly  occupeyd  for  Ilis  Majestys  Use  &  Service  Custome  hath 
made  them  a  Perquisite  of  the  Governors.  &  as  farr  as  the  Guns  in 
the  Fort  cann  throw  a  shott  the  land  is  deemd  for  the  use  of  the  Gari- 
Bon.  You  are  therefore  to  insist  upon  a  moderate  Rent  as  my  Right. 
1  the  account  of  which  you  are  to  trance  mitt  to  me. 

Given  under  my  hand  att  B'ort  Cumberland  this  2()th  May  1756. 

JAMES  INNES. 
To  James  Livingston,  Esq. 

The  "Governor"  evidently  received  some  moneys 
from  the  rent  of  the  houses  near  the  Fort,  a  number 
of  which  were  occupied  by  traders,  who  had  brought 
merchandise  of  such  character  as  the  soldiers  cared 
for,  in  which  they  speculated.  The  sums  thus 
collected  he  regarded  as  his  "perquisites,"  and  was 
careful  to  order  that  Major  Livingston  should 
promptly  "trance  mitt"  them  to  him. 

The  location  of  the  Fort  was  such  that  several 
spurs  of  the  mountain  ranges  in  the  vicinity 
entirely  overlooked  it,  although  when  it  was  con- 
structed it  was  not  thought  to  be  within  gun-shot  of 
any  of  them.  The  Indians,  however,  found  oppor- 
tunity to  considerably  annoy  both  the  garrison  and 
the  camp  at  times.  On  frequent  occasions  they 
would  post  themselves  on  the  side  of  Knobley 
Mountain  and  fire  into  the  Fort.  They  did  the  same 
from  the  knob  now  known  as  McKaig's  Hill.     And 

although  the  distance  intervening  was  too  great  to 

27 


210 


UISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1756. 


permit  them  to  do  much  dama<;e,  yet  very  ofUni 
their  bullets  fell  inside  the  palisades,  and  rendered 
the  men  so  uncomfortable  that  they  became  anxious 
to  put  an  end  to  such  aggressions.  On  one 
occasion,  during  the  summer  of  1750,  a  large  party 
of  warriors  had  been  loitering  about  the  Fort  for 
several  days  with  a  view  to  taking  the  scalps  of  such 
unwary  soldiers  as  might  venture  within  their  reach. 
The  troops  were  on  their  guard,  however,  and  the 
Indians,  despairing  of  cutting  any  of  them  off,  took  a 
position  on  one  of  the  hills,  and  spent  the  entire  day 
firing  into  the  Fort.  By  loading  their  guns  with 
heavy  charges  of  powder,  they  were  enabled  to  inakf 
it  rather  djingerous  for  such  of  the  troops  as  were 
exposed.  Major  Livingston  became  much  annoyed, 
finally,  and  determined  to  punish  the  redskins 
severely.  Accordingly  he  ordered  a  Captain  to  take 
seventy-five  men  and  dislodge  the  enemy.  The  niglit 
was  cloudy,  and  there  was  no  moon.  The  Captain 
took  his  force  out  under  cover  of  the  darkness, 
crossed  the  creek  at  the  ford  just  above  its  mouth, 
and  in  perfect  silence  marched  to  the  foot  of  the  hill; 
here  they  formed  a  line,  and  cautiously  surrounded 
the  Indians,  ascending  and  approaching  to  within 
about  seventy-five  yards  of  them.  The  savages  were 
totally  unprepared  for  an  attack,  and  had  posted  no 
guards,  evidently  believing  the  garrison  was  too 
weak  to  molest  them.  The  soldiers  lay  quiet, 
awaiting  daybreak,  at  which  time  they  intended  to 
make  an  assault.  As  the  light  broke  in  the  east, 
every  man  lay  with  his  hand  on  the  trigger  of  his 
gun,  and  as  soon  as  the  Indians  began  to  move  about 


[I7r)(i. 


1750.] 


KILL-BUCKS   STRATEGY   FAILS. 


211 


y  often 
[jnderod 
iinxious 
)n    OIK' 
re  part) 
b'ort  for 
1  of  such 
Ir  reach, 
and  the 
T,  took  a 
itire  day 
ns  with 
to  make 
as  were 
innoyed, 
I  redskins 
to  take 
le  night 
Captain 
irkness, 
mouth, 
the  hill; 
rounded 
within 
res  were 
isted  no 
Ivas  too 
quiet, 
lided  to 
lie  east, 
of  his 
le  about 


tlie  signal  was  given,  when  a  volley  was  poured  into 
tlieir  midst.  The  siirprise  was  complete.  The 
savages  were  utterly  confounded;  they  had  no  time 
to  secure  their  arms  before  the  whites  discharged 
another  volley,  cutting  down  most  of  them.  Those 
who  were  not  killed  or  wounded  sought  safety 
in  liigiit,  but  they  were  picked  ofl'  one  after  another, 
and  few  succeeded  in  getting  off  with  their  lives. 

The  Indians  after  this  troubled  the  garrison  but 
little  by  firing  from  the  hills,  but  they  sought  by 
every  means  to  be  revenged  for  the  slaughter  of  their 
comrades,  and  gathered  in  great  numbers  about  the 
Fort.  Amongst  the  most  cruel,  bold  and  bloodthirsty 
of  these  warriors  was  Kill-buck,  a  Shawanese  chief, 
who  had,  previous  to  the  war  lived  near  the  settlers, 
on  the  South  Branch  of  the  Potomac,  most  of  whom 
he  knew.  He  was  a  powerful  man,  and  possessed  of 
much  intelligence,  but  inhuman  in  his  nature.  He 
had  made  good  use  of  his  knowledge  as  to  the  homes 
and  strength  of  the  settlers,  and  had  been  guilty  of 
many  cruel  murders.  He  had  command  of  the 
Indians  who  had  gathered  about  Fort  Cumberland, 
and  held  a  council  for  the  purpose  of  determining 
upon  the  best  method  of  capturing  the  Fort  and 
destroying  the  garrison.  It  was  finally  determined 
to  resort  to  stratagem,  and  a  plan  was  made  by  which 
they  were  to  secure  an  entrance,  on  the  pretense  of 
friendship,  after  which  they  were  to  overpower  the 
troops  and  put  all,  officers  and  men,  to  death. 
Accordingly,  Kill-buck,  marched  up  to  the  Fort,  at 
the  head  of  his  warriors,  making  signs  of  friend- 
ship,  and    requested    Major    Livingston    to    admit 


212 


HISTORY  OF   CUMBEULAND. 


[1756. 


them,   in 


order  that  they  might  have  a  con- 
Hultation;  he  said  they  were  the  friends  of  the 
English,  and  did  not  wish  them  harm,  but  woulij 
bury  the  hatchet.  Major  Livingston  knew  the 
character  of  Kill-buck  too  well  to  trust  him,  but 
nevertheless  pretended  to  Ixilieve  his  professions,  and 
ordered  one  of  the  gates  to  be  opened  to  them, 
Feeling  secure  in  the  success  of  their  stratagem,  the 
warriors  filed  in,  grimly  looking  to  the  right  and  k'ft, 
So  soon,  however,  as  the  principal  warriors  had 
entered,  the  gates  were  closed,  and  Kill-buck  found 
the  troops  drawn  up  in  line  in  front  of  their  barracks, 
with  their  loaded  guns  in  their  hands  ready  for 
service.  He  turned  upon  the  Major  and  haughtily 
asked  the  cause  of  this  treatment,  whereupon  that 
officer  charged  him  in  the  most  forcible  and  con- 
temptuous language  with  having  come  with  a  lie  in 
his  mouth  and  murder  in  his  heart,  to  deceive  liini: 
he  told  Kill-buck  that  he  had  seen  through  his 
stratagem,  and  now  intended  to  punish  him  severely 
for  his  treachery.  Kill-buck  and  his  chiefs  were 
seized  and  disarmed,  and  were  then  dressed  in 
petticoats;  the  gates  were  opened,  and  they  were 
driven  forth  with  jeers  and  laughter  by  the  soldiers, 
who  taunted  them  with  being  squaws,  and  old 
women.  This  humiliation  was  greater  punishment 
to  the  Indians  than  death,  and  they  left  the  place 
utterly  dejected  and  disgraced. 

One  of  the  parties  of  Indians  that  visited  Fort 
Cumberland  in  August  was  commanded  by  Langlade, 
who  was  sent  here  to  ascertain  what  the  English 
were  about,  and  whether  preparations  were  being 


1750.] 


TWO   OPINIONS   ABOUT    THE   FORT. 


213 


iiiii(lo  for  aiiotht^r  advance. 
lie  ciinic!  waH  as  follows : 


The  order  under  which 


''  Dmuiis,  ('hevalier  oi  the  Royal  and  Military  Order  of  St  Louio, 
Captiiiii  of  Infantry;  commandant  of  the  Ohio  and  its  tributaries  :  It  is 
ordfred  liiat  Sicur  Lnnghide,  Knsign  of  Infantry,  start  at  the  head  of  a 
detachment  of  French  and  Indians,  to  go  in  the  direction  of  Fort  Cum- 
biirland. 

"  In  case  the  savaires  prefer  to  quit  the  great  highway,  Sieur  Langlade 
will,  with  the  French  detach  himself  from  them,  in  order  to  follow  them  ; 
the  principal  object  of  his  mission  being  to  examine  if  the  enemy  is 
malting  any  movement  in  those  parts. 

"He  will  march  with  caution  and  distrust,  to  avoid  all  surprises  f.nd 
any  ambuscade.  If  he  strike  in  conjunction  with  his  Indian  allies,  ho 
will  employ  nil  his  talent  to  prevent  tin m  from  the  exercise  of  any 
cruelty  npoii  those  who  may  fall  into  their  i    i^ls  : 

"  Uone  at  Fort  Duquesne,  the  ninth  of  Ai        t,  1756," 

Langlade's  party  advanced  no  rther  than  Fort 
(.'iimberland,  and  they  did  little  or  no  damage. 

Washington's  views  as  to  the  campaign  proposed 
to  be  r.ov,-  commenced  differed  from  those  of  Governor 
Dinwiddie,  very  materially.  Washington  was  anxious 
to  get  rid  of  Fort  Cumberland,  as  he  thought  it 
useless,  for  various  reasons  which  he  gave;  among 
others,  it  was  commanded  by  adjacent  hills;  was  not 
strong  enough  in  its  construction;  and  was  easily 
tlaiiked.  Dinwiddle  had  persistently  declared  that 
it  should  be  maintained,  and  he  had  made  it  the 
chief  depot  of  stores;  besides  which  he  had  sent  a 
portion  of  the  troops  from  Winchester,  and  thus 
hiterfered  with  the  work  on  Fort  Loudon,  which 
Washington  was  desirous  of  having  comj)letea. 
Dinwiddle  had  found  it  convenient  to  oppose 
Washington  in  all  of  his  plans,  and  gave  him  much 
annoyance;  losing  no  opportunity  to  vent  his  reseni> 
ment  in  this  manner  upon  the  commander  of  the 


214 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1756. 


Vir<2;inia  forces,  bocauso  he  had  Hoeurod  tho  phicc  tlid 
Governor  intended  lor  his  favorite,  Colonel  linit's. 
Washington  wrote  as  follows  to   Speaker    Robinson: 

WlNClIKHTKll,  iJlh   August   IT.)!). 

Sib  : 

Fort  Cumberland  at  present  contains  all  our  provisions  and  vuliiiilil' 
stores,  and  is  not  capable  of  an  hour's  defense,  if  the  enemy  were 
only  to  bring  a  sin/^le  halfpounder  aj^ainst  it,  which  they  m\<r\\\,  do 
with  great  ease  on  horseback,  l^esides,  it  lies  so  remote  from  tliis 
jilace,  an  well  as  from  the  neighborinn;  inhabitants,  that  it  requires  as 
much  force  to  keep  the  communication  open  to  it  as  a  fort  at  the 
Meadows  would  do,  and  employs  one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  who  are 
a  dead  charge  to  the  country,  as  they  can  be  of  no  other  use  than  just  to 
protect  and  guard  the  stores,  which  niiurht  as  well  be  lodged  at  Cox's 
Fort;*  indeed  better,  for  they  would  t.-i-n  be  more  contiguous  to  this 
place,  to  the  inhabitants,  and  to  the  enemy,  and  more  serviceable  if  we 
should  ever  carry  an  expedition  over  the  mountains,  by  opening  a  road 
where  the  Indians  have  blazed.  A  strong  garrison  there  would  not  only 
protect  the  stores,  but  also  the  few  remaining  inhabitants  on  the  Hninch,+ 
and  at  the  same  time  waylay  and  annoy  the  enemy,  as  they  pass  ami 
repass  the  mountains.  Whereas  the  Ibrces  at  Fort  Cumberland,  iyin;r  i- 
a  ( irner  quite  remote  from  the  inhabited  parts  to  which  the  Indians 
always  repair  to  commit  their  murders,  can  have  no  intelligence  of  am- 
thing  that  is  doing,  but  remain  in  total  ignorance  of  all  transactions. 
When  I  was  down  I  applied  to  the  (iovernor  for  his  particular  and 
positive  directions  in  this  affair.  The  following  is  an  exact  copy  of  his 
answer: — "Fort  Cumberland  is  a  king's  fort,  and  built  ch  idly  at  the 
charge;  of  the  colony,  therefore  properly  un<ler  our  direction  until  a 
governor  is  appointed."  Now,  v.'hcther  I  am  to  understand  this  ay  or  no, 
to  the  plain,  simple  question  asked, — "Is  the  fort  to  be  continued  or 
removed  ?''  I  know  not. 

To  this  letter  Speaker  Rol)iiison  rc^plied,  saying, 
"The  Committee  were  all  in  opinion  with  you,  that 
the  keeping  of  Fort  Cinnberhmd  was  an  unnecessary 
expense;  but  upon  my  mentioning  their  opinion  to 
the  Governor,  he  appeared  very  warm,  ana  said  Lonl 
Loudou  might  do  what  he  pleased,  but  for  his  part 


*Cox'h  Fort  wa8  on  rnt.or.soii's  Creak,  2S  mllea  from  Fort  CMimberlaiid. 
tSouth  Brancb  of  the  rotomao. 


17-%.] 


A   COUNCII.   AT    THE   FORT. 


215 


he  would  not  remove  the  gai-rison,  nor  order  tlu^  fort 
to  be  demolished." 

Siiortly  iifter  this,  Washinfjjton,  while  on  a  visit 
to  Mount  Vernon,  wrote  as  follows  to  (Jovernor 
Dinwiddie: 

I  liuve  in  sevcrHl  letters  to  your  Flonor  expn-ssed  my  opinion  with 
ciuulor  and  froodoui  about  tlm  sitimtion,  works  and  garrison  at  l''ort 
Ciimlicrlfind.  I  havu  upon  all  oc-oasions  said  that  Kort  ('umbcrland  is  a 
|i|(i(eorno  strf!nj»th,  and  never  can  be  tenable  from  the  badness  of  thn 
proiinil.  It  is  far  remote  from  any  of  our  inhabitants,  exposed  to  the 
insults  n(  the  enemy,  contains  ail  our  /aluublo  stores  (save  what  1  have 
removed  to  Winchester),  and  a  pitrrison  of  170  men,  which  is  too  larpe  a 
number  to  be  spared  fron  •her  places,  nierelv  to  defend  the  stores  at 
this,  and  'oo  small  to  afford  detachments  to  waylay  and  .surprise  the 
pncniy.  I  .shall,  therefore,  be^  leave  to  observe,  in  regard  to  Fort  ('urn- 
berland,  that  if  it  is  continued  wc  must  be  confined  to  act  defensively, 
and  keep  our  forcea  dispersed  as  they  now  are.  The  jilaci;  must  be 
fortified  with  strong  works  or  else  it  will  inevitably  fall,  garrison  and 
stores,  into  the  enemy's  hands.  I  inclose  Col.  Shepherds'  letter  on  this 
lipad  in  answer  to  one  I  wrote  him. 

1  have  the  honor  to  be  &e.,  etc., 

(iKO.  WASHlN(iTt)N. 
Mount  Vkknon,  Sept.  23,  1750. 

Dinwiddle  still  vehemently  opposed  all  proposi- 
tions lor  the  removid  of  the  Fort,  and  wrote  to 
Wii.sjiington,  stating  his  reasons  for  its  maintenance; 
hut  finally  proposed  to  him  that  the  entire  matter 
nhoiild  be  referred  to  a  council  of  officers  to  he  held 
at  the  Fort.  This  was  agreed  to.  The  council  was 
iij)pointed,  aiul  in  due  time  held  its  sessions,  at 
wliieh  the  ((uestion  was  fully  argued,  and  carefully 
considered  in  every  particuliir.  The  council  rept)rted 
at  large,  assigning  the  reasons  which  might  be  urged 
l)oth  for  retaining  and  for  abtrndoning  the  Fort,  but 
I'orbore  to  express  a  decided  opinion.  Colonel 
Washington  approved  the  report,  .and  endorsed 
thereon  his  own  comments,  after  which  he  forwarded 


216 


niSTOKY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[175C, 


ii 

K 

the  whole  to  Governor  Dinwiddle.  The  Council 
agreed  that  the  Fort  was  wholly  defenseless, 
imperfectly  constructed,  and  commanded  by  several 
hills  within  gunshot;  but  they  thought  it  important 
that  a  post  should  be  maintained  in  this  quarter, 
since  the  only  road  to  the  West  for  wlieel  carriagos 
passed  in  this  direction.  With  this  view  of  the 
subject  Colonel  Washington  concurred,  but  was  still 
of  the  opinion  that  a  more  favorable  position  ought 
to  have  been  chosen,  and  suggested  that  it  should  be 
in  advance  of  Fort  Cumberland,  somewhere  in  the 
vicinity  of  Little  Meadows.  He  thought,  also,  that 
Virginia  should  not  be  expected  to  maintain  this  Fort 
alone,  but  that  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  should 
unite  with  her  in  the  enterprise,  as  they  were  all 
equally  interested  in  the  prime  object,  which  was  to 
facilitate  an  expedition  to  the  Ohio  River,  and  to 
furnish  a  means  of  protection  against  the  advance  of 
the  enemy  into  either  of  the  Colonies. 

Upon  receipt  of  the  report,  Governor  Dinwiddle 
wrote  to  Washington  in  reply:  "■!  received  the 
opinion  of  the  council  of  war  in  regard  to  Fort 
Cumberland;  as  it  was  an  affair  of  great  consequence 
I  called  the  council  tor  their  advice.  In  consequence 
thereof  I  hereby  order  you,  immediately  to  march 
one  hundred  men  to  Fort  Cumberland,  from  the 
forces  you  have  at  Winchester,  which  Captain  Mercer 
says  are  one  hundred  and  sixty  enlisted  men.  You 
arc  to  remain  at  Fort  Cumberland,  and  make  the 
place  as  strong  as  you  can  in  case  of  an  attack. 
You  are  to  send  out  parties  from  the  Fort  to  observe 
the  motions  of  the  enemy,  if  they  should  march  over 


1756.]  COL.  STEPHEN   IN  COMMAND  OF   THE   FORT.       217 

the  Alleghany  mountains.  Any  stores  at  the  fort,  not 
absolutely  necessary  for  its  defense,  you  are  to  send 
to  Winchester." 

Previous  to  the  calling  of  the  council,  Washington 
had  been  requested  by  the  Assembly  to  prepare  a 
plan  of  defense  for  the  frontiers,  by  means  of  a  line 
of  forts  extending  from  Maryland  to  North  Carolina. 
In  compliance  with  this  request,  he  submitted  a  plan 
embracing  twenty-three  forts,  of  which  Cox's  Fort 
was  the  most  advanced,  Fort  Cumberland  being  left 
entirely  out. 

Colonel  Stephen  succeeded  Major  Livingston  in 
command  of  the  Fort  in  the  fall,  and  the  Colonial 
Records  furnish  us  with  the  following  letter  written 
bj  him  to  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania : 

Port  Cumberland,  Sept.  .SO,  175G. 
Sir: 

Yesterday  came  into  this  garrison  John  Adam  Long,  who  lived  in  this 
neighborhood,  and  was  taken  Prisoner  on  the  3d  of  April  last,  ne&r  to  a 
fort  on  thti  Virginia  Frontiers,  commanded  by  Captain  Cox.  He  is  a 
sensible  man  of  fifty  five  years  of  age,  and  informs  me  that  he  was 
carried  directly  to  Fo'*t  Duquesne,  on  his  way  to  which  place  he  met  one 
liundreil  and  fifty  Indians  near  to  this  Fort,  going  against  the  inhabitants 
of  the  Virsrinia  frontiers  ;  that  this  party,  joined  with  several  others  down 
before  them,  engaged  Captain  Mercer,  at  the  head  of  a  detachment  from 
this  Fort;  that  there  were  nine  Indians  killed  in  that  engagement,  which, 
with  their  seeing  the  Tracts  of  several  scouting  parties  after  them,  made 
them  return  without  doing  much  mischief  to  the  Inhabitants  ;  that  he 
was  detained  at  Fort  Duquesne  about  twenty  days,  during  which  time 
the  Dekwares  carried  in  several  Prisoners,  One  of  which  they  roasted  A 
hive.    Two  others  they  put  to  death  in  a  Cruel  and  Barbarous  Manner. 

ADAM  STEPHEN. 

The  French  officers  constantly  professed  a  desire 

to  prevent  everything  of  a  barbarous  character  on 

the  part  of  their   Indian   allies,  but   as   there  are 

numerous  well   authenticated    instances   in   which 
28 


218 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1756. 


they  were  witnesses  to  scenes  of  torture,  which 
they  made  no  eflbrt  to  prevent,  the  honesty  of  their 
professions  may  well  be  doubted. 

In  a  letter  of  M.  Vaudreuil  to  M.  de  Machault, 
dated  Montreal,  August  8th,  1750,  found  in  the  New 
York  Colonial  Manuscripts — Paris  Documents,  vol. 
X.,  under  the  head  of  "Occurrence  since  the  10th  of 
June,"  are  the  following  entries : 

"  Five  deserters  from  Fort  Cumberland  iirrived  at  Fort  Duquesne. 

"A  detachment  under  the  command  of  Sieur  de  Celeron  de  Blainville 
fell  in  \rith  some  of  the  enemy's  scouts  at  this  side  of  Fort  CumberlanJ. 
These  two  parties  met  unexpectedly,  and  (iced  point  blank,  the  enemv 
immediately  fell  back;  we  killed  three  of  them,  whose  scalps  have  been 
carried  off  by  the  Indians,  but  we  lost  Sieur  de  Blainville,  one  Huron, 
one  Delaware,  and  one  Onondago. 

"  Five   Chouanons  had  a   similar    adventure   a   little    nearer  Fort 

Cumberland.     They   scalped    three    English.     One  of   their  men  was 

killed. 

"  A  party  from  different  tribes   having  divided,  returned  in  squaJs 

with  a  number  of  scalps. 

''Sieur  de  Rocheblave,  with  another  cadet,  a  corporal,  a  militianian, 
and  twenty  Chouanon's  knocked  at  the  gate  of  a  small  fort,  three  \ci\fm 
beyond  Fort  Cumberland,  where  there  remained  some  families  and  thirty 
militia.  He  killed  four  Englishmen,  whom  the  Indians  scalped;  wounded 
three  who  dragged  themselves  into  the   fort,  and    took   three  prisoners.' 

"  A  detachment  under  the  command  of  M.  de  Celeron  had  a  Hl'IiI 
near  Cresap's  Fort,  in  the  rear  of  Cumberland;  killed  eight  Englishmen, 
whose  scalps  the  Indians  were  not  able  to  secure,  finding  themselves  in 
the  dusk  of  the  evening,  under  the  musketry  of  the  Fort.  We  have  had 
two  Indians  killed  and  one  wounded. 

"  The  garrison  at  Fort  Cumberland  is  not  paid;  it  is  greatly  dimin- 
ished b'   sickness  which  has  prevailed  there  all  winter,  and  still  continues. 

''Cn  the  8th  of  June  the  grass  was  growing  in  the  roads  couimuni 
eating  with  Cumberland.  lOxpresses  no  longer  came  any  furtiier  than 
Winchester  on  account  of  our  Indians,  who  are  always  in  the  field. 

"  Not  a  grain  of  Indian  corn  has  been  planted  betft  aen  that  post  and 
Kaneghuigik,  twenty  five  leagues  distant  from  it  towards  the  sea. 

"  It  was  thought  that  Fort  Cumberland  would    be  soon  ubamloned; 

*U  is  not  known  tlint  any  fort  was  in  existence  "tliree  leuKuex  beyond  Fort  Cumberlanii. 
Cresap'a  fort  was  about  four  leaKueB  east,  and  is  probably  tlie  one  referred  to.  Below  Knln 
Creek,  and  about  three  mileH  from  Cumberland,  there  is  a  tract  of  land  which  wan  namM  i» 
1791  "Fort  Lip,"  which  ia  referred  to  in  Jacob's  Life  of  Creoap.  There  auiy  liave  beeu  a  »»*" 
fort  tliere. 


[1751). 

:,  which 
of  their 

iachauh. 

the  New 
nts,  vol. 
2  10th  of 


luqueane, 
ie  Blainville 
]!iiml)erlaml. 
i,  the  enomy 
s  have  been 
one  Huron, 

nearer  I  v.: 
nv  men  was 

(1  in    squaJs 

\\  mllitiainiiii. 

hree  leajrues 

OS  and  thirty 

(h1;  wounded 

prisoners* 

had  a  li?bt 

•in)?lishmen, 

lemselves  in 

e  have  had 

|-eatly  dimin' 
111  continiies. 
lis  com  muni 

further  tlian 

1  field. 

Lat  post  and 

lsea< 

I  abandoned; 

1  CiimberlMil-," 

Ileliiw  Kviti* 

Iwiis  Diitati  111 

I  been  » so"" 


1750.] 


EXECUTION   OF   A   SPY. 


219 


more  than  tJirt«  int  nths  have  elapsed  aince  a  waggon  or  bateau  had  come 

there," 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  French  were  constantly  on 
the  ah^rt,  and  were  kept  well  inlbrmed  of  all  that 
tran^pirod.  In  the  fall  of  175G,  two  of  their  spies 
came  to  Fort  Cumberland,  and  endeavored  to 
possess  themselves  of  an  accumtc  knowledge  of  the 
strength  of  the  garrison,  the  number  of  men  in  the 
guard,  the  weakest  points  in  the  Fort,  &c.,  with  a 
view  to  arranging  a  plan  by  wdiich  the  Indians  might 
capture  it.  The  movements  of  these  fellows  were 
closely  watched,  and  finally  the  commandant  of  the 
fort  ordered  their  arrest.  They  were  immediately 
tried  by  a  court  martial,  convened  for  the  purpose, 
and  the  evidence  being  conclusive  they  were  re- 
manded to  prison,  one  of  them  being  sentenced  to 
death.  He  was  taken  out  next  morning,  and  hanged 
to  a  tree  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Fort.  The  other  was 
sent  under  guard  to  Annapolis,  to  Governor  Sharpe, 
his  life  being  spared  on  condition  that  he  would 
divulge  to  the  Governor  certain  important  informa- 
tion concerning  the  French  and  Indians. 

When  Washington  received  Governor  Dinwiddle's 
order,  requiring  him  to  march  one  hundred  men  to 
Fort  Cumberland  from  Fort  Loudon,  he  was  much 
annovod  thereby,  and  WTote  to  Dinwuddie,  assuring 
him  that  the  ch.'v  ,go  would  occasion  much  inconve- 
nience, as  the  works  at  Winchester  were  still 
incomplete,  and  the  force  there  was  so  small  that  it 
was  barely  sufficient  to  protect  the  place.  He  did 
not,  however,  want  it  inferred  by  his  acts  and  words 
tliat  he  objected  to  Fort  Cumberland,  on  any  personal 


220 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1756. 


grounds,  and  concluded  his  letter  by  saying,  "I  had 
rather  a  thousand  times  be  at  Fort  Cumberland." 

Washington  had  visited  the  Fort  only  a  short  time 
before,  early  in  November,  and  had  ordered  all  stores 
to  be  removed  to  Winchester,  except  feucli  as  were 
absolutely  needed  for  the  use  of  the  garrison.  While 
here  he  had  a  conference  with  a  number  of  Catawba 
Indiana  who  came  in,  and  were  friendly.  They 
asked  him  to  supply  them  with  clothing,  wampum. 
pipes,  tomahawks,  and  silver  trinkets  for  the  hands 
and  arms.  He  regretted  his  inability  to  gratify  their 
demands,  but  assured  them  of  the  friendship  of  the 
English  for  the  Catawbas,  and  gave  them  tomahawks 
and  wampum,  which  he  purchased  for  them. 

The  question  as  to  the  abandonment  of  Fort 
Cumberland  was  still  discussed  very  earnestly,  and 
Lord  Loudon  wrote  to  Governor  Dinwiddie,  saying; 

"  As  to  the  affair  of  Fort  Cumberland  I  own  it  gives  me  great 
uneasiness,  and  I  am  of  the  same  opinion  with  you,  that  it  was  verv 
material  to  have  supported  that  Fort  this  winter,  and  after  that  we  could 
easily  have  made  it  a  better  post  than  ever  it  has  been,  from  what  I  hear 
of  it.  I  cannot  agree  with  Colonel  Washington  in  not  drawing  in  the 
posts  from  the  stockade  forts  in  order  to  defend  that  advanced  one;  anJ  I 
should  imagine  much  more  of  the  frontier  will  be  exposed  by  retiring 
your  advanced  posts  near  Winchester." 

Washington  was  convinced  that  Lord  Loudon's 
opinions  were  based  upon  the  representations  of 
Governor  Dinwiddie,  and  he  became  soon  after  greatly 
annoyed  by  the  contradictory  orders  transmitted 
to  him  by  the  Governor,  in  consequence  of  which 
he  was  uncertain  as  to  what  was  really  expected  of 
him.  He  said  "if,  under  these  circumstances,  my 
conduct  is  responsible  for  the  fate  of  Fort  Cumber- 


[1750. 


1756.]       SHOULD   THE   FORT   BE    MAINTAINED?  221 


"I  had 

md." 
ort  time 
11  stores 
as  were 
While 
Catawba 
.  They 
ampiim. 
le  hands 
ify  their 
p  of  the 
lahawlts 

of  Fort 

ptly,  and 

saying: 


me  great 

WHS  very 
we  could 

idt  I  hear 
in^  in  the 
one;  and  I 

)V  retiriiifr 


oudon's 
ons  of 
greatly 
mitted 

which 
cted  of 
OS,  my 

iniber- 


iand,  it  must  be  confessed  that  I  stand  upon  a 
tottering  foundation  indeed."  He  steadily  opposed 
the  abandonment  of  the  stockade  forts  on  the  South 
Branch,  and  protested  against  the  scheme,  as  dan- 
gerous and  unwise,  involving  the  peril  of  the  entire 
frontier.  He  wrote  to  Speaker  Robinson  again, 
giving  expression  to  his  fears.  That  gentleman  in 
his  reply  said : 

"lam  truly  concerned  at  the  uneasiness  you  are  under  in  your 
present  situation,  and  the  more  so,  as  I  am  sensible  that  you  have  too 
much  reason  for  it.  The  resolution  of  defending  Fort  Curnberlam'  \ud 
evacuating  the  other  forts,  was  taken  before  I  knew  or  mistrusted  ..iy- 
thing  of  the  matter.  I  must  confess  I  was  not  a  little  surprised  at  it,  and 
took  the  liberty  to  expostulate  with  many  of  the  council  upon  it,  wnc 
gave  me  in  answer,  that  Lord  Loudon  had  insisted  that  Fort  Cumberland 
should  be  preserved,  and  as  we  had  so  few  troops,  it  could  not  be  done 
without  breaking  up  the  small  forts  and  taking  the  men  from  them. 

''  It  was  to  no  purpose  to  tell  them  that  our  frontiers  would  thereby  be 
entirely  exposed  to  our  cruel  and  savage  enemy,  and  that  they  could 
re  ■  ive  no  protection  from  Fort  Cumberland,  as  it  was  in  another 
province,  and  so  remote  from  any  of  our  inhabitants;  and  further  that  the 
act  of  Assembly,  which  gave  the  money  solely  for  the  defence  and  pro- 
tection of  our  frontiers,  would  be  violated  and  the  money  applied 
otherwise  than  the  Assembly  intended.  Yet  notwithstanding  all  I  could 
say  they  persisted  in  their  resolution  without  alleging  any  other  reason 
than  that  it  was  in  pursuance  of  Lord  Loudon's  desire. 

"It  cannot  be  a  difficult  matter  to  guess  who  was  the  author  and 
promoter  of  this  advice  and  resolution,  or  by  whom  Lord  Loudon  has 
been  persuaded  that  the  place  is  of  such  importance.  But  supposing  it 
were  really  so,  it  ought  to  be  defended  by  the  people  in  whose  province 
it  is  [Maryland],  or  at  least  at  the  expense  of  the  three  colonies  jointly, 
and  our  own  frontier  not  left  exposed  for  the  defence  of  a  place,  from 
which  we  cannot  receive  the  least  advantage  or  protection.  The  present 
unhappy  state  of  our  country  must  fdl  the  mind  of  every  well-wisher  to  it 
with  dismal  and  gloomy  apprehensions,  and  without  some  speedy  altera- 
tions in  our  counsels,  which  may  God  send,  the  fate  of  it  must  soon  be 
determined." 

About  the  first  of  January,  1757,  Washington  estab- 
lished his  headquarters  at  Fort  Cumberland,  where 


222 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1757. 


he  remained  until  March.  lie  had  concluded  that 
Lord  Loudon's  opinions  had  been  based  uj)on  Governor 
Dinwiddie's  representations,  and  learning  that  there 
was  to  be  a  conference  of  the  Southern  Governors 
with  Lord  Loudon,  in  March,  he  asked  Governor 
Dinwiddie's  permission  to  attend,  and  in  response  to 
his  request  received  a  very  ungracious  letter  from 
that  official,  granting  him  the  privilege  in  the  most 
churlish  terms.  Washington  then  wrote  Lord  Loudon 
a  lengthy  letter,  explaining  in  full  all  military 
matters  with  which  he  had  been  connected,  and  the 
defects  of  the  militia  law  of  Virginia,  which  had 
caused  no  end  of  trouble  and  confusion.  This  letter 
impressed  Lord  Loudon  very  favorably,  and  when 
Washington  arrived  in  Philadelphia  he  was  received 
by  him  in  the  most  cordial  manner,  and  frequently 
consulted  upon  matters  of  importance.  The  con- 
ference discussed  the  plan  for  future  operations,  and 
the  result  of  Washington's  representations  as  to  Fort 
Cumberland  was,  that  the  Virginia  troops,  provision;* 
and  stores  were  ordered  to  be  moved  to  Winchester, 
which  was  to  be  made  headquarters,  and  Fort 
Cumberland  was  henceforward  to  be  garrisoned 
by  Maryland  forces.  The  Fort  had  been  greatly 
strengthened  during  the  winter,  and  a  considerable 
sum  of  money  expended  in  its  improvement. 

About  this  time  Captain  Jacobs,  an  Indian  chief. 
and  forty  warriors,  made  their  appearance  in  the 
Cove,  near  liaystown,  or  Bedford,  on  their  way  to 
attack  the  garrison  at  Fort  Cumbr^'land,  expecting 
to  be  joined  by  others  to  a  number  sufficient  to 
enable  them  to  carry  out  their  project.     They  killed 


1757.] 


A   FIGHT   FOR   LIFE. 


223 


iuul  captured  all  the  people  at  the  little  settlement 
of  the  Cove,  and  burned  the  houses.  Hugh  McSwine, 
one  of  the  settlers,  was  absent  from  his  home, 
and  on  his  return,  finding  the  ruin  that  had  been 
wrought,  started  in  pursuit  and  overtook  the  Indians. 
Jacobs  declared  him  a  spy  and  made  him  prisoner. 
With  the  Indians  was  a  white  man,  named  Jackson, 
who  was  more  bloodthirsty  and  villainous  than  his 
red  comrades.  McSwine  and  another  prisoner  were 
put  in  charge  of  Jackson  and  an  Indian,  while  the 
rest  of  the  party  went  in  search  of  other  settlers. 
Jackson  and  the  Indian,  with  the  prisoners,  traveled 
all  day,  and  in  the  evening  stopped  at  a  deserted 
cabin,  where  McSwine  was  given  an  ax,  and  sent  to 
cut  wood  for  a  fire.  As  soon  as  he  got  the  ax 
McSwine  struck  the  Indian  in  the  head  with  it  and 
killed  him,  after  which  he  turned  upon  Jackson,  but 
that  individual  was  too  quick  for  him,  and  the  result 
was  a  hand  to  hand  encounter.  Both  were  powerful 
men,  and  the  struggle  was  long  and  fierce,  the  other 
prisoner  being  so  badly  frightened  that  he  gave  no 
aid.  McSwine  finally  got  hold  of  the  dead  Indian's 
gun,  and  succeeded  in  dispatching  Jackson,  after 
which  he  scalped  him  and  the  Indian,  and  started  at 
once  for  Fort  Cumberland,  where  he  arrived  the 
following  evening,  and  warned  Washington  of  the 
intended  attack.  Jacobs  afterwards  discovered  the 
dead  bodies  of  his  friends,  and  finding  the  trail  of 
the  prisoners  to  lead  towards  Fort  Cumberland, 
abandoned  his  intention  of  attacking  it.  McSwine 
was  sent  by  Washington  to  Winchester,  where  he 
received  a  Lieutenant's  commission. 


224 


niSTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1757. 


McSwine  had  numerous  adventures  with  the 
savafjoH  afterwards,  and  was  finally  killed  in  a  battle 
with  them  near  Li^onier. 

On  the  5th  of  April,  Governor  Dinwiddie  ordered 
the  immediate  evacuation  of  Fort  Cumberland  by  the 
Virginia  troops,  two  companies  of  which  were  to 
proceed  to  Fredericksburg,  under  command  of 
Colonel  Stephen,  to  be  sent  thence  by  direction  of 
Lord  Loudon  to  South  Carolina,  where  it  was 
anticipated  an  attack  would  soon  be  made.  Thi« 
letter  miscarried,  and  on  the  8th  of  April  a 
council  of  war  was  called  at  the  Fort,  at  which  it  was 
determined  that  the  place  should  be  held  until 
the  arrival  of  Captain  Dagworthy  with  the  Maryland 
troops. 

On  this  day  one  hundred  and  twenty-four  Catawba 
Indians  arrived  at  the  Fort,  and  were  hospitably 
received  by  Colonel  Stephen.  They  declared  their 
intention  to  help  their  white  brothers,  the  English, 
to  drive  out  the  French.  A  few  days  after  their 
arrival,  two  of  these  Indians  were  in  a  canoe  on  the 
Potomac,  near  the  Fort,  intending  to  cross  the  river. 
When  they  had  reached  the  middle  of  the  stream 
they  were  suddenly  fired  upon  from  the  shrubbery 
on  the  opposite  side,  and  both  Indians  fell  dead  in 
the  canoe.  All  the  Indians  in  the  Fort,  and  about 
one  hundred  white  men,  went  at  once  in  pursuit  of 
the  foe,  and  succeeded  in  securing  a  number  of 
scalps. 

Fort  Cumberland  long  continued  to  be  a  source  of 
uneasiness  and  dispute.  It  was  the  cause  of  nuich 
annoyance  to  Washington,  as  well  as  to  the  Gover- 


1757.] 


COMMUNICATION    UNSAFE. 


225 


iiors  and  Assomblios  of  Virj^inia  and  Maryland. 
Wlieii  the  Maryland  AH.sonibly  nu't.  Governor  SliariH) 
appealed  to  it  for  money  to  Hii])i)ly  the  wants  of  the 
irarrison,  hut  was  met  with  a  most  indignant  refusal. 
"That  garrison,"  said  the  Assem))ly,  ''wius  stationed 
contrary  to  the  i)hun  destination  of  all  the  forces 
raised  and  to  be  supported  hy  law;  and,  if  any  evil 
consequences  have  heretofore  or  may  hereafter  follow 
a  want  of  supplies,  let  those  answer  for  them  who 
liave.  contrary  to  law,  been  the  means  of  stationing 
troops  where  they  had  no  right  lo  place  them."''' 

The  dilhcultie,-'  of  keeping  up  connnunication 
between  the  Fort  and  Winchester  were  of  the  most 
serious  character.  The  whole  country  was  infested 
with  Indians,  and  the  couriers  were  often  killed  or 
captured.  Dinwiddle's  letter  of  the  5th,  heretofore 
referred  to,  was  lost  entirely,  and  another,  of 
the  7tli,  was  three  days  in  reaching  its  destination. 
Washington  wrote  to  Dinwiddle  as  follows: 


Sill: 


Fort  Cvmberlanh,  10  April,  1757. 


Your  letter  bj  express  on  the  Sth  instant,  I  fear  has  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  the  common  enemy,  for  I  have  never  seen  it.  The  other,  of  the 
"til,  I  this  day  received,  and  being  exceedingly  embarrassed  to  come  at 
your  intentions,  and  really  at  a  loss  to  know  in  what  manner  to  act  in 
such  perplexed  and  difficult  circumstances,  I  called  a  council  of  officers 
to  my  aid.    The  result  of  tin;  advice  you  will  find  onclosed.f 

It  will  not  be  in  my  power  to  be  in  Williamsburg  by  the  22d,  as  your 
Honor  desires  ;  but  as  soon  as  I  can  I  certainly  will.  I  leave  orders  with 
Colonel  Stephen  to  march  this  garrison  to  B'ort  Loudon,  as  soon  as  it  is 
relieved,  which  cannot  be  before  this  express  may  return,  and  then  your 
further  orders  may  be  received.  We  have  no  advice  of  Dagworthy's 
marching,  though  orders  were  sent  him. 

I  shall  order  all  the  country's  stores  ;o  be  carried  to  Fort  Loudon, 

♦VoteBaml  TrocBedlngs  Maryland  Assembly,  Oct.  1757. 

tlliia  »u.s  lu  the  elTect  that  the  Fort  sUauld  uot  be  evacuated  until  the  arrival  of  the  Maryland 

troops 

29 


*^ 


226 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1757. 


k 

• 

»!i(1  the  two  coiiipanieK  on  PatlnrHon'R  Creek  to  bo  posted  )n  the  Brancli 
to  complete  tlio  iiumhor  tl\Ht  wiis  (loHifrned  for  thut  phice.  I  Imvi! 
ordered  a  purticiilar  return  of  the  proviHions  to  be  mude  out,  and  Colonel 
Stephen  to  take  Captain  l)a},'wortliy'8  rcceip*,  for  the  (juantitjr  lell. 

We  have  been  at  a  ^'ood  deal  of  unavoidable  expenae  and  trouble  to 
furnish  the  Indians  with  .such  things  as  they  wanted.  Some  hostile 
Indians  killed  two  Catawbaa,  on  Thursday  last,  at  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  yards  from  the  Fort,  and  seventy  from  a  .sentry,  and  made  thtir 
escape,  though  pursued  by  other  (/atawbaa  and  near  two  hundre''  men. 
And  the  day  before  yesterday,  two  soldiers  were  killed  and  a  third  taken 
prisoner,  as  they  were  coming  to  this  place  from  the  Fort  below.  The 
rest  of  the  party,  b«iing  ten  in  number,  with  Captain  Wa{,'gener  arann)( 
them,  made  their  escape. 

The  enclosed   remonstrance   I    have  just    received,    and    think  ii 

expedient  to  send  it  to  your  Honor,  that  you  may  know  the  temper  and 

disposition  of  the  troops.     As    I  expect  to  be  with  you  in   two  or  thw 

days  after  the  express,  I  think  it  needless  to  add  anything  but  an  apology 

for  the  incoherence  of  this  letter.     The  Indians  are  all  around,  teazini; 

and  perplexing  me  for  one  thing  and  another,  so  that  I  scarce  know  what 

I  write. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c., 

GEO.  WASHINGTON. 

About  the  ITtli  of  the  month  Washington  took 
his  departure  from  Fort  Cumberland,  and  at  once 
made  hia  headquarters  at  Fort  Loudon,  where  he 
remained  until  near  the  close  of  the  year,  at  which 
time  he  obtained  a  leave  of  absence,  and  retired  to 
Mount  Vernon  to  recuperate  his  health,  which  was 
Beriously  broken. 

On  the  8th  of  June,  Lieutenant  Baker,  who  had 
been  out  to  within  n  few  miles  of  Fort  Duquesne,  on 
a  scouting  expediticui,  returned  to  Fort  Cuml>erlan(l. 
He  had  taken  with  him  a  party  of  five  soldiers  and 
fifteen  Cherokees,  and  they  had  surprised  some 
French  and  Indians  on  Turtle  creek,  about  twelve 
miles  from  Fort  Duquesne.  They  brought  in  five 
scalps  and  one  prisoner,  a  French  officer  named 
Velistre;  and,   besides,   they  had  killed   two  other 


1757.] 


A   FALSE    ALARM. 


227 


French  officcrH,  wliose  nainos  were   Lusosaia  and  St. 
Oure. 

A  few  dayH  after  Washington's  departure  six 
Cherokee  Indians,  who  had  been  as  far  West  as  the 
Oliio  River,  returned  to  the  Fort,  and  stated  U)  Captain 
Dagworthy,  who  had  arrived  and  taken  command, 
tliat  they  had  seen  a  large  force  of  Frencli  and 
Indians  near  Fort  Duquesne;  that  they  were  armed 
with  big  guns,  and  had  plenty  of  wagons  and  horses, 
and  were  marching  to  attack  Fort  Cumberland. 
Captain  Dagworthy,  who  questioned  them  very 
closely,  was  so  strongly  impressed  with  their  story 
that  he  at  once  sent  an  express  towards  Winchester 
to  overtake  Washington,  and  to  notify  the  people 
tiii'ougliout  the  country.  (Jolonel  Stanwix,  with  his 
regulars  and  the  militia  from  the  forts  on  the  Branch, 
was  at  once  marched  to  Fort  Cumbeiland,  and  every 
preparation  possible  made  for  its  defense.  Washing- 
ton had  long  feared  a  movement  of  this  kind,  and 
was  convinced  that  it  could  not  be  successfully 
resisted.  He  said  the  road  from  Fort  Duquesne  to 
Fort  Cumberland  was  the  only  one  over  which  it 
would  be  possible  for  the  French  to  bring  their 
artillery,  unless  they  should  build  a  new  road,  which 
would  involve  a  great  deal  of  expense  and  months  of 
hibor.  To  ascertain  the  exact  strength  and  the 
intentions  of  the  enemy,  he  had  spies  sent  out  to 
watch  their  movements.  He  wrote:  "We  have 
received  nothing  new  from  Fort  Cumberland  since 
the  IGth.  The  Indians  who  brought  the  first  news, 
imagine  that  some  of  Spotswood's  party  are  yet 
watching  the  enemy.     On  the  contrary,  I  apprehend 


228 


HISTORY   OF   CUxMBERLAND. 


[1757. 


they  are  all  cut  ofT;'''  for  a  man  who  left  Fort 
Cumljerlarid  on  the  lOth  snys  the  woods  apj)ear  to 
be  quite  alive  with  hostile  Indians,  who  show  them- 
selves oi>enly  in  the  day.  This  is  unusual  with  tlieni 
unless  they  are  strong."  Fortunately  the  rumor  as 
to  the  approach  of  the  French  was  untrue,  and  none 
of  them  made  their  appearance.  But  Washington 
was  constantly  a[)prehensive  of  an  attack  by  the 
Indians  on  Fort  Loudon,  and  observed  the  strictest 
caution. 

At  the  close  of  the  month  of  June,  Captain  Beale. 
who  was  commanding  at  Fort  Frederick,  endeavored 
to  persuade  Colonel  Stanwix  to  order  Washington  to 
reinforce  Fort  Cumberland  again.  Colonel  Stanwix. 
who  was  then  at  Carlisle,  was  commander-in-chief  of 
the  Middle  and  Southern  provinces,  at  the  time,  and 
he  concluded  to  give  that  matter  into  Governor 
Sharpe's  hands  to  act  according  to  his  own  judgment. 
Washington  s:aid  he  did  not  deem  it  advisable  to 
send  any  of  his  troops  to  Fort  Cumberland,  as  it  was 
not  in  imminent  peril,  and  as  V^irginia  was  under  the 
necessity  of  looking  after  her  own  frontier,  which 
was  constantly  threatened.  Colonel  Stanwix  wrote 
to  Governor  Sharpe  as  follows: 

Camp  near  Cakuslk,  July  t,  1757. 
Sir: 

I  did  iinarrino  that  on  rt'CM>ipt  of  an  account  of  our  First  Alarm  bcintr 
(.'Oiitradicted  that  you  would  send  home  your  militia,  and  I  am  at  liif 
same  time  glad  to  hear  that  you  f-au  depend  upon  the  500  men  when 
any  real  occasion  recjuires  it;  as  )ou  apprehend  it  is  for  his  Majesty's 
service  that  an  ofllicer  &  Detachment  from  the  new  companies  be  sent  to 
reinforce  Fort  Cumberlanil  you  will  please  to  order  it  to  be  done  in  such 
proportion  as  you  who  must  bo  the  best  jud},'e  think  necessary. 

*CHptaiu  Spotuwood  and  bis  pnrty  were  actuuUy  cut  off  by  the  Iiidiaaa  and  every  one  of  them 
kill'  ^. 


1757.]        ADDKESS   AS   TO   FORT   CUMBERLAND. 


229 


A  careful  inspection  of  all  the  provisions  in  the 
Fort  waf  made  in  August,  and  Mr.  Kennedy,  in 
whose  charge  they  had  been  placed,  had  all  the  meats 
repacked  and  pickled,  for  use  in  the  future.  A 
considerable  portion  of  the  stores  was  spoiled,  and 
Colonel  Stanwix  sent  fresh  supplies  to  replace  them. 

The  condition  of  Fort  Cumberland  was  taken  up 
for  consideration  in  the  Maryland  Assembly  at  the 
session  of  1757,  and  the  following  address  was  read 
in  the  House  of  Delegates  on  the  15tli  of  December: 

'"Fort  Cumberland  we  are  informed,  was  first  begun  by  some  gentle- 
men of  the  Ohio  Company,  as  a  storehouse  of  their  goods  designed  for 
the  Ohio  Indian  trade,  and  never  was  garrisoned  by  troops  stationed 
there  by  the  direction  of  any  law  of  this  province,  but  commonly  by 
Virginia  forces.  That  fort,  we  have  too  much  reason  to  believe,  from  an 
extract  from  your  Excellency  to  the  Secretary  of  State,  laid  before  the 
lower  House  in  September  session,  17o<J,  in  which  are  the  following  words  : 
"There  are  no  works  in  this  province  that  deserve  the  name  of  fortifica- 
tions ;  just  behind,  and  among  our  Western  settlements,  are  some  small 
stoccado  or  pallisadoed  forts,  built  by  the  inhabitants  for  the  protection 
of  tiieir  wives  and  children;  and  besides  these,  there  is  one  larger, 
though,  in  my  opinion,  not  much  more  capable  of  defense,  on  Potowmack, 
ab'  ai  oC,  miles  beyond  our  settlements.  It  has  been  distinguished  by 
tlie  appellation  of  Fort  Cumberland,  and  is  at  present  garrisoned  by 
three  hundred  men  from  Virginia.  It  is  made  with  stoccados  only,  and 
commanded  on  almost  every  side  by  circumjacent  hiils'  ;  a  considerable 
quantity  of  military  stores,  that  was  left  by  Gen.  Braddock,  still  remain 
there,  and  two  of  the  carriages  that  his  Majesty  was  pleased  to  order  to 
\  irginip.  two  years  ago,  are  mounted  therein;"  is  not  tenable  even  against 
a  trilling  force,  should  they  come  with  any  cannon  ;  and  therefore  humbly 
submit  it,  whether  it  might  not  be  a  prudent  measure  to  remove  his 
Majesty's  artillery  and  stores  (though  indeed  the  provisions  we  are  told 
are  thielly  spoiledjfrom  thence  to  a  place  of  security. 

"Though  Fort  Cumberland  may  be  constiucted,  for  anything  we 
know,  near  a  place  proper  for  the  stationing  a  garrison  at,  for  his 
Majesty's  sorvicn  in  general,  yet  being,  as  we  have  been  informed,  between 
fighty  and  ninety  miles  from  the  settlements  of  the  Westernmost  inhab- 
itants of  this  province,  and  in  the  truth  of  that  information,  are  confirmed 
by  your  excellency's  message  of  the  11th  of  this  instant,  wherein  you 
say 'the  distance  from  fort  Frederick  to  fort  Cumberland,  by  the  wagon 


230 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1757. 


road,  is  75  miles,'  and  consequently  the  carriage  of  provisions  thither 
very  expensive ;  we  humbly  conceive  it  cannot  be  reasonably  desired,  that 
the  people  of  this  province  should  be  burthened  with  the  great  expense 
of  garrisoning  that  fort,  which,  if  it  contributes  immediately  to  the 
security  of  any  of  his  majesty's  frontier  subjects,  it  must  be  those  of 
Virginia  or  Pennsylvania,  who  do  not  it  present  contribute  anything 
towards  the  support  of  it,  that  we  know  of. 

"  We  understand  the  most  common  track  of  the  Indians,  in  makin; 
their  incursions  into  Virginia  (which  have  been  lately  very  frequent)  is 
through  the  wild  desert  country  lying  between  fort  Cumberland  and  fort 
Frederick,  and  yet  we  cannot  learn  that  the  forces  at  fort  Cumberland 
(though  most  of  these  that  are  in  our  pay,  the  summer  past,  have  been 
stationed  there,  contrary,  we  humbly  conceive,  to  the  law  thai,  raised 
them)  have  very  rarely,  if  ever,  molested  those  savages  in  those  their 
incursions ;  from  whence  we  would  willingly  presume  their  passage  is 
below  the  Ranges,  which  troops  stationed  at  Fort  Cumberland,  can 
with  safety  to  that  fort,  extend  themselves  to ;  and  consequently,  that  any 
security  arising  from  those  troops,  even  to  the  Virginians  wlio  are  most 
in  the  way  cf  being  protected  by  them,  must  be  very  remote,  and  to  us 
much  more  so. 

"  When  from  the  incursions  and  horrid  depredations  of  the  savaw 
enemy  in  the  neighboring  colonies,  an  opinion  prevailed,  that  a  force 
was  necessary  for  the  defense  and  security  of  the  western  frontier  of 
this  province,  it  was  thought  most  likely  to  be  conducive  to  those  end?, 
to  have  it  placed  some  where  near  the  place  fort  Frederick  is  now 
constructed;  because  from  thence,  the  troops  that  might  be  judged 
proper  to  be  kept  on  foot  for  the  security  of  the  frontier  inhabitant? 
might  have  it  in  their  power  to  range  constantly  in  such  manner  as 
to  protect  them  against  small  parties ;  and  in  case  any  considerable 
body  of  the  enemy  should  appear,  or  the  fort  should  be  attacked,  the 
troops  might  at  very  short  warning  be  assisted  by  the  inhabitants. 

"  Near  the  sum  of  £G,000  has  been  expended,  in  purehasina;  the 
ground  belonging  to,  and  constructing  fort  Frederick,  and  though  we 
have  not  any  exact  information  what  sum  may  still  be  wanting  to  com- 
plete it,  (if  ever  it  should  be  thought  proper  to  be  done)  yet  we  are 
afraid  the  sum  requisite  for  that  purpose,  must  be  considerable  ;  and  we 
are  apprehensive  that  fort  is  so  large,  tiiat  in  case  of  attack,  it  cannot  be 
defended  without  a  number  of  men  larger  than  the  province  can  support, 
purely  to  maintain  a  fortification." 

After  his  retirement  to  Mount  Vernon,  Washington 
was  attacked  by  a  fever  which  prostrated  him,  and 
rendered  him  unfit  for  duty  during  the  next  four 


1758.] 


A    GRATIFYING   CHANGE. 


231 


months.  On  the  1st  of  March,  1758,  he  resumed  his 
command  at  Fort  Loudon.  A  great  many  changes 
for  the  better  took  place  in  these  four  months. 
Governor  Dinwiddle  turned  over  the  government  to 
Mr.  John  Blair,  President  of  the  council,  and  sailed 
for  England  in  January.  Mr.  Blair  had  charge  of 
the  government  then  until  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Francis 
Fauquier,  who  had  been  appointed  as  Dinwiddle's 
successor.  A  still  more  important  change  was  found 
in  the  addition  of  William  Pitt  to  the  British  min- 
istry, he  having  a  fuller  comprehension  of  affairs  in 
America  than  was  displayed  by  any  other  members 
of  the  cabinet.  Pitt  determined  upon  retrieving  the 
misfortunes  and  disgraces  of  Braddock's  campaign, 
and  at  once  a  combined  expedition  westward  was 
mapped  out,  with  a  view  to  putting  an  end  to  the 
power  of  the  French  on  the  Ohio.  Lord  Loudon 
returned  to  England,  and  the  command  fell  upon 
Major-General  Abercrombie.  The  forces  were 
divided  into  three  bodies;  the  first,  under  Major- 
General  Amherst,  was  to  attempt  the  reduction  of 
Louisburg  and  Cape  Breton,  and  was  to  be  aided  by 
the  fleet  under  Boscawen;  the  second  under  General 
Abercrombie,  was  to  march  against  Crown  Point;  and 
the  third,  under  General  Forbes,  was  to  proceed  to 
Fort  Duquesne,  and  capture  it.  Many  distracting 
([uestions  were  peremptorily  disjiosed  of  before  the 
troops  marched.  First,  the  colonial  troops  were  j)ut 
upon  the  same  footing  as  the  regulars,  except  that 
the  colonies  were  to  clothe  and  feed  them;  and  finally 
the  questions  as  to  rank  were  settled;  the  provincial 
officers  of  rank  no  higher  than  Colonel  were  to  be 


232 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[^58. 


equal  in  command  with  thoHe  who  hokl  royal 
commissions.  Thus  Washington  found  everything, 
under  the  new  administration,  much  pleasanter,  as 


we 


11 


as    more 


encouragmg. 


Virginia    augnienteil 


its  forces  to  two  thousand  men,  who  were  divided 
into  two  regiments,  one  of  which  was  placod 
under  Washington  (who  still  retained  his  position  of 
commander-in-chief  of  all  the  Virginia  troops),  and 
the  other  under  Colonel  Burd.  As  General  Forbes 
was  detained  at  Philadelphia,  Colonel  Boucjuet*  was 
sent  on  to  Raystown,  now  Bedford,  Bedford  county. 
Pennsylvania,  with  the  advance  of  the  regular  troops, 
where  the  final  preparations  for  the  march  upou 
Fort  Duquesne  were  to  he  made,  and  where  the 
troops  were  to  be  concentrated  while  the  roads  were 
being  opened  and  prepared. 

Meantime  the  Maryland  Assembly,  on  the  2Gtli 
of  February,  had  passed  an  order  for  the  enlistment  of 
four  hundred  men  to  range  the  frontiers,  and  protect 
the  settlements.  The  sum  of  £10,000  was  appro- 
priated to  pay  for  their  equipment  and  support. 

The  construction  of  roads  to  insure  easy  communi- 
cation with  all  necessary  points  first  attracted  Colonel 
Bouquet's  attention,  in  order  that  there  should  be  no 
delay  in  forwarding  either  supplies  or  reinforcements, 
lie  regarded  Fort  Cumljerland  as  a  post  not  to  be 
neglected  in  the  perfection  of  his  plans,  and  wrote 
as  follows  to  Governor  Sharpe : 

CoNiGOGEcjH,  1:5th  of  Juue,  17J8. 
Sill :  As  it  will  be  the  greatest  benefit  to  his  Majesty's  Service  to  have 
a  Road  of  communication    open  from  each  of   the  Provinces  to  Fort 


*nt'iiiy  Bouquet  was  of  French  (iCTCeiit ;  be  was  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel  in  the  Urilisli 
ariu7  iu  17S6.     Ue  was  apiK>iated  a  Brigadier  iu  176S,  aud  died  at  Feuaacola,  Florida,  iu  1760. 


1758.]  WASHINGTON'S  RETURN  TO  FORT  CUMBERLAND.  23'? 

Cumberland,  I  am  under  the  necessity  of  requesting  of  you  to  have  the 
straijilitost  Road  reconnoitered  leading  from  Fort  Frederick  to  Fort 
Cumberland.  Recommending  to  those  you  appoint  to  mark  it  out,  to 
report  the  time  that  500  men  will  take  to  cut  it.  Any  Expense  you 
may  be  at  shall  be  paid  by  Sir  John  St.  Clair,  as  he  will  be  the  nearest 
to  you.  Please  to  send  him  the  Report  of  it,  that  if  found  practicable  he 
mavsend  troops  to  work  at  it. 

I  am  with  the  highest  Regard  Sir,  your  most  obdt 

and  most  humble  serv't 

T(.  the  Honble  Gov.  Shaki-k.  HENRY  BOUQUET. 

Tlie  Virginia  troops  were  ordered  to  join  Colonel 
Bouquet's  forces,  and  V/ashington  marched  for  Fort 
Cumberland  on  the  24th  of  June,  arriving  here  on 
the  2d  of  July.  The  march  was  made  in  detach- 
ments. Washington  being  with  the  advance,  and 
Licutenant^Colonel  Stephen  taking  six  companies 
direct  to  Rays  town  by  another  route.  Upon  his 
arrival  at  Fort  Cumberland,  Wtishington  addressed 
the  following  letter  to  Colonel  Boucpiet : 

V\Mi'  NK.Aii  Fonr  CuMBKiii.ANn,  3  July,  1758. 
T"  Colonel  Henry  Bouquet, 

Comnianding  at  liaystown  : 

Sir:  According  to  orders  I  marched  from  Winchester  on  the  24th 
ultimo,  and  arrived  at  this  place  yesterday,  with  five  companies  of  the 
lirst  Virji;inia  regiment,  and  a  company  of  artificers  from  the  second,  as 
you  may  observe  by  the  enclosed  returns.  My  march,  in  consequence  of 
liail  teams,  and  bad  roads,  notwithstanding  I  had  sent  forward  the  artifi- 
cers and  a  covering  party  three  days  before,  was  much  delayed.  As  1 
cannot  suiipose  you  intended  to  send  any  part  of  my  men  upon  the  roads, 
till  joined  at  this  place  by  Colonel  Byrd,  I  shall  decline  sending  any  on 
timt  service  till  he  arrives,  which  I  presume  will  bo  to  morrow. 

There  came  twenty-eight  wagons  with  me  to  this  place,  and  I  believe, 
if  they  were  wanted,  ten  more  might  be  had  upon  the  South  Branch, 
strong  and  good,  but  carrying  horses  are  certainly  more  eligible  for  the 
sfrvice  to  which  they  are  destined.  I  have  received  a  very  scanty  allow- 
ance of  tents  for  the  five  companies,  namely,  sixty-nine  only.  Out  of 
these  most  of  the  officers  must  eithisr  be  supplied  or  lie  uncovered.  They 
**'"  readily  pay  for  what  they  receive  if  required.  No  bell  tents  were 
sent  to  ns. 
30 


234 


HISTORY   OP   CUMBERLAND. 


[1758. 


My  men  are  bare  of  regimental  clothing,  and  I  have  no  prospect  ofa 
supply.  So  far  from  regretting  this  want  during  the  present  curapaigu, 
if  I  were  left  to  pursue  my  own  inclinations,  1  would  not  only  order  the 
men  to  adopt  the  Indian  dress,  but  cause  the  officers  to  do  it  also,  and  be 
the  first  to  set  the  example  myself.  Nothing  but  the  uncertainty  oi 
obtaining  the  general  approbation  causes  me  to  hesitate  a  moment  to 
leave  my  rogimentals  at  this  place,  and  proceed  as  light  as  any  Indian  in 
the  woods.  It  is  an  unbecoming  dress,  I  own,  for  an  officer  ;  but  conve 
nience,  rather  than  show,  I  think,  should  be  consulted.  The  reduction  of 
bat-horses  alone  would  be  sufficient  to  recommend  it,  for  nothing  ii. 
more  certain  than  that  less  baggage  would  be  required,  and  the  public 
benefitted  in  proportion. 

It  appears  that  within  a  short  time  after  writing 
tlie  above  letter  Washington  actually  did  put  his 
men  in  Indian  dress,  as  the  fact  is  referred  to  in  a 
letter  written  him  by  Colonel  Bouquet,  from  Rajs- 
town,  in  July,  in  which  he  commends  the  costume, 
and  declares  it  should  be  a  pattern  for  the  dress  of 
the  soldiers  in  the  expedition  then  going  on. 

Several  hundred  Indians  had  joined  Washington. 
and  many  of  them  were  with  him  still,  at  Fort 
Cumberland.  These  proved  useful  on  frequent  occa- 
sions. The  construction  of  a  passable  road  between 
the  fort  at  Raystown  and  Fort  Cumberland  was 
absolutely  necessary,  and  had  been  commenced,  but 
numerous  parties  of  hostile  Indians  being  about  the 
forts,  as  well  as  along  the  line  of  the  road,  rendered 
the  work  exceedingly  dangerous.  The  couriers  going 
forth  and  back  were  constantly  fired  upon,  and  a 
wagoner  was'  shot  down  one  day  within  five  hundred 
yards  of  Will's  Creek,  and  in  siglit  of  the  fort. 
Washington  sent  out  several  parties  of  Cherokees  to 
attack  these  prowling  bands,  but  Colonel  Bouquet 
rather  checked  their  efficiency  by  ordering  that  an 
officer  and  several    soldiers  should   accompany  tlie 


1758.] 


A   LETTER    FROM    THE    FORT. 


235 


Indians.  The  largest  party  sent  out  consisted  of 
cigliteen  Cherokees,  and  they  succeeded  in  driving 
oft'  the  enemy. 

On  the  6tli  of  .^uly  Robert  Munford  wrote  the 
following  letter,  from  Fort  Cumberland,  to  his  uncle, 
Colonel  Tlieodoric  Bland,  of  Prince  George's  County : 

Honrl  Sir, 

Had  opportunities  offered,  as  frequently  as  Inclination  would  have 
induced  me  to  write  to  you,  you  might  have  read  a  Letter  from  every 
cncampinent.  After  being  delayed  at  Winchester,  five  or  six  weeks 
loiiirer  than  Expected  (in  which  Time  I  was  ordered  Express  to  Williams- 
burgh  &  allowed  but  a  day  after  my  return  to  prepare)  we  pushed  ott' 
into  the  wide  Ocean.  I  was  permitted  to  walk  every  step  of  the  Way  to 
this  humble  Fort,  to  eat  little,  to  lay  hard,  over  Mountain,  thro'  Mud  and 
Water,  yet  as  merry  &  hearty  as  ever.  Our  Flankers  &  Sentrys  pretend 
they  saw  the  Enemy  daily,  but  they  never  approached  us.  A  De- 
tachment is  ordered  off  this  moment  to  clear  a  Road  thirty  miles,  and 
(lur  Companies  to  cover  the  Working  .  Party.  We  are  in  fine  scalping 
ground  I  assure  you,  the  guns  pop  about  us,  &  you  may  see  the  fellows 
prick  up  their  Ears  like  a  Deer  every  moment.  Our  Colonel*  is  an 
Kxaniple  of  Fortitude,  in  either  Danger  or  Hardship,  and  by  his  easy, 
polite  Behaviour,  has  gained  not  only  the  Regard  but  affection,  of  both 
otlicers  and  soldiers.  He  has  kindly  invited  me  to  his  Table,  for  the 
Campaign,  offered  me  any  sum  of  money,  I  may  have  occasion  for, 
without  charging  either  Principal  or  Interest,  and  signified  his  appro- 
bation of  my  conduct  hitherto,  in  such  a  manner,  as  is  to  my  advantage. 
In  passing  my  recruiting  Acct :  I  was  allowed  18f  pr  :  man,  you  may 
judge  how  much  I  was  Looser  when  several  officers  had  408.  Col. 
Charles  Carter,  junr,  has  a  horse  of  mine  in  keeping  "till  my  Return  • 
where  he  may  remain  if  you  think  proper.  The  Batt :  money  and  Forage 
money  allow'd  me  amounts  to  £6<).  In  everything  possible,  I  shall  be 
upon  the  frugal  scheme.  You  may  depend  upon  hearing  by  all  opportu- 
nities from  Dr  Sir,  yr  truly  Affect:  &  ever 

obliged  nephew 

ROBT.  MUNFORD. 
Camp  near  Fort  Cumberland, 

•luly  Gth,  17r)8.  

To  Mrs.  Blaxd  : 

Hoiid  Madam : 
fho'  I've  hardly  a  moment  at  my  own  Disposal,  I  can't  omit  sending 

..!Ji'-"^*''''''"'"'<'"e' Win.  Burd,  of  tli«  2d  Virginia   Begimeat  and  not  to  Waghington,  •• 
<t«lM  lu  «  foot  note  to  the  BUnd  Papers. 


236 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1758. 


a  few  words  to  my  dear  aunt,  Employed  from  Sun  to  Sun,  yet  from  Light 
to  Night,  I  am  mindful  of  my  dear  distant  Kriends.  That  yon  and  your' 
may  enjoy  Every  Blessing  that  Heaven  can  bestow,  is  the  triliuto  of  a 
Heart  sincerely  yra  llOBT.   MUNFORD. 

P.  S.    My  love  to  the  Lasses. 

To  Col  Theo  Bland,  in  Prince  George. 

About  this  time  Colonel  Bouquet  proposed  an 
expedition,  with  a  force  of  regulars,  into  the  enerayV 
country,  but  Washington  opjMjsed  the  movement,  as 
he  said  it  could  only  be  made  with  a  cumbersome  train 
of  supplies,  and  must  prove  futile.  He  wanted  to 
move  at  the  earliest  p«)ssible  moment,  with  a  force 
large  enough  to  take  Fort  Duciuesne,  and  thus  by  a 
brilliant  stroke  close  the  campaign.  He  Avrote 
another  letter  then,  as  follows,  to  Colonel  Bouquet: 

Camp  near  Fort  Cumuekland,  19  July,  1758. 
Sir: 

Your  obliging  favor  of  this  date  I  just  now  had  the  pleasure  of 
receiving.  You  flatter  me  much  by  coinciding  with  me  in  opinion 
relative  to  the  proposed  expedition. 

Captain  Dagworthy  returned  hither  yesterday  in  conseijuence  of 
orders  from  Sir  John  St.  Clair,  forwarded  by  the  commanding  officer  at 
Fort  Frederick.  I  will  send  out  a  party  on  Braddock's  Road  whicb  I 
shall  be  able  to  reinforce  when  Col,  Mercer  returns.* 

I  am  exceedingly  obliged  by  the  handsome  and  polite  manner  in 
which  you  are  pleased  to  give  me  leave  to  attend  the  election  at  Win 
Chester.  Although  my  being  there  under  any  other  circumstances  woulJ 
be  very  agreeable  to  me,  yet  I  can  hardly  persuade  myself  to  think  of 
being  absent  from  my  more  immediate  duty,  even  for  a  few  days.  I  will 
not,  however,  come  to  any  absolute  determination  till  I  receive  answers 
to  some  letters  on  that  subject,  which  I  expect  this  night  or  to-morrow/ 

Just  before  going  to  Fort  Cumberland,  Wasliington 


had   met,   courted,    and    become 


engaged 


to  Mrs. 


*Colouel  Mercer  was  then  engaged  in  making  the  rood  between  Fort  Cumberland  lud  Bi;$' 
town. 

tWashington  having  resolved  to  (^uit  the  army  at  the  close  of  this  campaign,  had  propc*" 
himself  a«  a  candidate  for  tiie  Hcise  of  liiirgCKseH,  and  his  friends  wanted  liim  to  be  present  n 
the  election,  as  he  had  three  active  competitors,  who  were  at  work  in  person  to  defeat  hio. 
He,  however,  declined  to  attend,  and  remained  at  Fort  Cumberland,  where  he  shortly  all"' 
wards  received  intelligence  of  his  election  by  a  handsome  miyjority.  A  Vlrgiiiia  election  in 
those  days  was  rather  peculiar  in  so-jie  respects,  and  the  participators  must  have  had  a  "2i™ 
old  time,"  as  Washington  was  called  on  to  foot  a  bill  of  £39  sfi.  Items  :  a,  hogshead  and  a  b»rH' 
of  punch  ;  ,16  gallons  of  wine,  i3  gallons  strong  beer  and  cider,  and  dinner  for  his  friends. 


[1758. 


1758.] 


ANOTHER   ROAD   TO   THE   OHIO. 


237 


from  Light 
and  your* 
ributti  of  a 
"OKU. 


ased  an 
enemy's 
tnont,  as 
mw  train 
anted  to 
1  a  force 
hus  by  a 
e  wrote 
Kouquet; 

y,  17jH, 

pleasure  o( 
>  in   opinion 

ieiiuence  of 

ijT  officer  at 

iul   whiclil 

manner  in 
ion  at  Win 
iinces  woulJ 
to  think  of 
ays.  I  will 
ve  answers 
to-morrow.^ 

shington 
Ito  Mk. 

Innd  »u<i  "•?*■ 

I.  li»d  propo*' 
|>  be  present  »i 
1  to  defeat  liii». 
B  sliortW  »ft"- 
,1,1  election  i» 
Jve  liad  a  "P«<« 
Id  and8b«ii«' 
T  frieuds. 


Martha  Cu8tis,  a  charming  young  widow,  «nd  ho 
wrote  I'rom  this  place  a  volume  of  ardent  love  letters 
to  that  huly.  These,  however,  liave  not  been  made 
pubHc,  and  the  curiosity  of  the  world  as  to  this  love 
afl'air  must  remain  ungratified  so  far  as  this  corres- 
pondence is  concerned. 

On  the  21st  a  letter  from  Washington  to  Colonel 
Bouquet  apprised  him  that  Colonel  Burd  was  in  want 
of  a  supply  of  vermillion  for  the  Indians,  who  needed 
it  in  putting  on  the  war  paint,  and  preparing  for 
battle.     He  says: 

"The  bridge  is  finished  at  this  place,*  and  to  morrow  Major  Peachey, 
with  three  hundred  men,  will  proceed  to  open  Gen.  Braddock's  road.  I 
iihail  direct  them  to  go  to  George's  Creek,  ten  miles  in  advance.  Hy  that 
time  I  may  possibly  hear  from  you.  If  they  go  farther  it  may  be 
requisite  to  reinforce  the  party.  Hut  this  matter,  I  suppose,  will  be 
ordered  according  to  the  route  determined  on  by  the  General,  for  it  will 
be  needless  to  open  a  road,  of  which  no  use  will  be  made  afterwards. 

"Colonel  Stephen  gives  me  some  room  to  apprehend  that  a  body 
(if  light  troops  may  soon  move  on,  I  pray  your  interest  most  sincerely 
with  the  General  to  get  my  regiment  and  myself  included  in  the  num- 
ber. If  any  argument  is  needed  to  obtain  this  favor,  I  hope  without 
vanity  I  may  be  allowed  to  say,  that,  from  long  intimacy  with  these 
woods,  and  frequent  scouting  in  them,  my  men  are  at  least  as  well 
acquainted  with  all  the  passes  and  difficulties  as  any  troops  that  will  be 
employed." 

Washington  had  supposed  that  the  advance  upon 
Fort  Duquesne  would  be  made  over  the  old  road 
whicli  Braddock  had  used.  He  was  greatly  surprised, 
therefore,  to  learn  that  Colonel  Bouquet  had  declared 
his  intention  of  constructing  a  new  road  from  Rays- 
town  to  the  Ohio  River,  and  marching  a  part  of  his 
force  by  that  route,  the  other  part  to  take  Braddock's 

•Nowhere  has  any  record  been  found  as  to  the  location  of  tliiH  bridge.  Braddock's  men  had 
prepared  llie  timbers  for  a  bridge,  over  Wilts'  Creek,  iu  17S5,  but  there  is  no  liistory  of  its 
'reclioii.  The  probability  is  that  it  was  found  necescary  to  put  up  a  bridge  for  use  during  the 
nring  and  (all  freshets,  as  at  such  times  the  creek  was  too  much  swolieu  to  permit  of  wagoni 
[■awing  the  ford. 


238 


HISTORY   or   CUMBERLAND. 


[1758. 


Road,  and  the  t^vo  bodies  to  unite  on  the  Monoiifra- 
hehi.  The  account.s  which  Braddock  had  given  of 
his  road,  in  his  dispatches,  were  of  such  a  character 
as  to  lead  the  commander  of  the  present  exjx'ditioii  to 
beHeve  the  road  well  nigh  impassable,  and  Boufpict's 
project  of  a  new  road  through  Pennsylvania  was 
encouraged  by  interested  parties  in  that  State,  who 
Uiisured  him  it  could  Ik)  easily  built,  and  that  tlic 
grades  would  be  light.  Washington  strongly  opposed 
the  idea;  he  assured  Colonel  Bouquet  that  it  would 
cost  the  army  a  fatal  loss  of  time,  and  result  in  a 
barren  victory,  at  best,  in  the  end.  He  wrote  as 
follows  to  Colonel  Bouquet: 

Camp  near  Fort  Cumberi,and,  25  July,  1758. 
De\r  Sir  : 

I  do  not  incline  to  propose  anything  tliat  may  seem  otlicious,  but 
would  it  not  facilitate  the  operations  of  the  campaign,  if  the  Virginia 
troops  were  ordered  to  proceed  as  far  as  I  Great  Crossing,  and  con 
struct  forts  at  the  most  advantageous  situations  as  they  advance. 
opening  the  road  at  the  same  time?  In  such  a  case  I  should  be  glad 
to  be  joined  by  that  part  of  my  regiment  at  Rayatown.  Major  Peachy, 
who  commands  the  working  party  on  IJraddock'a  road,  writes  me  that 
he  finds  few  repairs  wanting.  Tonight  I  shall  order  him  to  proceed 
as  far  as  Savage  River,  and  then  return,  as  his  party  is  too  weak  to 
adventure  further. 

We  have  received  advice  that  our  second  convoy,  of  more  than 
seventy  wagons,  will  be  at  the  South  Branch  to-day,  where  I  expect  they 
will  be  joined  by  other  wagons  with  forage.  They  will  all  proceed  to 
this  place  immediately. 

I  shall  most  cheerfully  work  on  any  road,  pursue  any  route,  or  enter 
upon  any  service  that  the  General  or  yourself  may  think  me  usefnllv 
employed  in,  or  ([ualified  for,  and  shall  never  have  a  will  of  my  own, 
when  a  duty  is  required  of  me.  But  since  you  desire  me  to  speak 
my  sentiment  freely,  permit  me  to  observe,  that  after  having  conversed 
with  all  the  guides,  and  having  been  informed  by  others,  who  have  a 
knowledge  of  the  country,  I  am  convinced  that  a  road,  to  be  compared 
with  General  Braddock's,  or,  inrl.eed  that  will  be  fit  for  transportation 
even  by  pack-horses,  cannot  be  made.  I  have  no  predilection  for  the 
route  you  have  in  contemplation  for  me,  not  because  difficulMes  appear 


[1758. 


1758.] 


THK    TWO   ROAHR. 


239 


ivon  of 
amcter 
lition  to 
)U(iiU'tV 
lia  was 
to,  who 
hat  the 
opposed 
t  would 
lilt  in  a 
rrote  as 

1758. 

Ik'ious,  but 
le  Virjjiniii 
I,  and  con- 
advance, 
!d  be  slail 
or  Pencliv, 
OS  uie  that 
()  proceed 
weak  to 

liore  than 
ipect  they 
proceed  to 

\,  or  enter 

nsefnlly 

my  own, 

I  to  speak 

lonversed 

have  a 

lompared 

lortation 

for  the 

appear 


therein,  but  because  I  doubt  whether  satisfaction  can  be  )»iven  in  the 
execution  of  the  jilan.  I  know  not  what  reports  you  may  have  received 
from  your  reconnoiterinfj  parties,  but  I  have  been  uniformly  told  that,  if 
you  expect  n  tolcrabhi  road  by  Uaystown  you  will  be  disappointed,  for  no 
movement  can  bo  made  that  w;»y  without  destroyinj?  our  horses. 

Bouquet  was  not  convinced  by  Washington's 
representations,  yet  he  was  desirous  of  liilly  consult- 
ing with  him,  and  fixing  upon  a  plan  which  would 
meet  with  his  approval.  He  therefore  wrote  to 
Washington,  saying:  ''Nothing  can  exceed  your 
generous  dispositions  for  the  service.  I  see,  with  the 
utmost  satisfaction,  that  you  are  above  the  influences 
of  prejudice,  and  ready  to  go  heartily  where  reason 
and  judgment  shall  direct.  I  wish  sincerely  that  we 
may  all  entertain  one  and  the  same  opinion ;  therefore 
I  desire  to  have  an  interview  with  y^u  <'t  the  houses 
built  half  way  between  our  camps."  Both  officers 
went  to  the  place  designated,  half  way  Ijctween  Fort 
Cumberland  and  Uaystown,  and  entered  into  a 
•liscussion  of  the  question  at  issue.  Washington 
stated  that  the  road  taken  by  Braddock  had  been 
laid  out  by  the  Ohio  Company,  aided  by  traders  and 
Indians,  the  sole  object  being  to  secure  the  best  and 
most  direct  route;  that  the  road  was  in  pretty  good 
order,  and  could  be  made  ready  for  use  with  but 
little  labor,  and  that  the  building  of  a  new 
road  by  another  route  would  consume  precious  time, 
and  extend  the  campaign  into  another  year,  which 
would  have  a  demoralizing  effect  upon  the  soldiers, 
as  well  as  upon  the  colonies.  But  General 
Forbes  had  determined  upon  the  new  route  through 
Pennsylvania,  and  Colonel  Bouquet  naturally  took 
the  same  position.     Washington  succeeded,  however, 


f 


240  HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND.  [1  T'jS. 

in  persuadin*]^  him  to  abandon  tlie  idea  of  dividing; 
hiH  (brcos,  and  it  was  finally  determined  that  the 
advance  upon  Fort  I)u(iuesne  should  be  over  a  now 
road  to  be  built  from  KayHtown.  Washington  Avas 
greatly  dispirited  by  this,  and  he  wrote  to  Major 
Halkett,  in  August,  that  this  Avould  ruin  the  exjx'- 
dition,  as  they  would  be  utterly  unab'e  to  get  beyond 
Laurel  Hill  during  the  winter,  lie  also  wrote  again 
to  Colonel  Bou(j[uet: 

Camp  near  Pokt  Cumbkbi.and,  2d  August,  175.4. 
Sir: 

The  matters  of  whicli  we  spoke  relative  to  the  roads,  have,  since 
our  parting,  been  the  subject  of  my  closest  reflection,  and  so  far  am  I 
from  altering  my  opinion,  that  the  more  time  and  attention  I  bestow,  tlif 
more  I  am  conlirmed  in  it,  and  the  reasons  for  taking  Braddock's  road 
appear  in  a  stronger  point  of  view.  To  enumerate  the  whole  of  thesn 
reasons  would  be  tedious,  and  to  you,  who  have  become  so  much 
master  of  the  subject,  unnecessary.  I  shall,  therefore,  briefly  mention  a 
few  (inly  which  I  think  so  obvious  in  themselves,  that  they  miiM 
effectually  remove  objections. 

Several  years  ago  the  Virginians  and  Peniisylvanians  commenced  a 
trade  with  the  Indians  settled  on  the  Ohio,  and  to  obviate  the  many 
inconveniences  of  a  bad  road,  they,  after  reiterated  and  inetl'ectuui 
efforts  to  discover  where  a  good  one  might  be  made,  employed  for  tin 
purpose  several  of  the  most  intelligent  Indians,  who,  in  the  course  of 
many  years*  hunting  had  actjuired  a  perfect  knowledge  of  these  uioiin- 
tain.s.  The  Indians  having  taken  the  greatest  pains  to  gain  the  rewards 
oftered  for  this  discovery,  declared  that  the  path  leading  from  Will's 
Creek  was  infinitely  preferable  to  any  that  could  be  made  at  any  other 
place.  Time  and  experience  so  clearly  demonstrated  this  truth  that  the 
Pennsylvania  traders  commonly  earned  out  their  goods  by  Will's  Creek. 
Therefore,  the  Ohio  Company  in  1'J5.^,  at  considerable  expense  opened 
the  road.  In  1754  the  troops  whom  I  had  the  honor  to  command  greatly 
repaired  it,  as  far  as  Gist's  plantation;  and  in  H;");")  it  was  widened 
and  completed  by  General  Braddock  to  within  six  miles  of  Fort 
Duquesne.  A  road  that  has  so  long  been  opened,  and  so  well  and  sc 
often  repaired,  must  be  much  firmer  and  better  than  a  new  one,  allowing 
the  ground  to  be  equally  good. 

But  supposing  it  were  practicable  to  make  a  road  from  Raystown 
quite  as  good  as  General  Braddock's,  I  ask  have  we  time  to  do  if. 


[IToS. 

ividinji 
lat  tile 
•  a  now 
on  \v)b 
i  Major 
e  expi'- 
beyond 
te  again 


,  i7:).s. 

liave,  sincf 
80  far  am  I 
bestow,  llie 
Idock's  road 
ole  of  the8^ 
e  HO  much 
y  mention  a 
thev  must 


IT^-iH.] 


A   QUESTION    OF    ROADS. 


241 


lliayslowii 
'do  it- 


Certainly  not.  To  sunnoiint  the  dilTirulties  to  he  encountt'red  in  nmkinjj 
it  over  sucli  mountiiins,  covered  with  woods  and  roeks,  would  require  so 
much  time  .im  to  biiisl  our  otherwise  well  grounded  hopes  of  striking  tho 
important  stroke  this  season. 

The  favorable  accounts  that  some  give  of  the  forage  on  the  Rays- 
ti)wn  nmd,  as  Iteing  so  much  better  than  that  on  the  other,  are 
certainly  exaggerated.  It  is  well  known  that  on  both  routes,  the  rich 
valleys  between  the  mountains  abound  with  good  forage,  and  that  those 
which  are  stony  and  bushy  are  destitute  of  it.  Colonel  Hyrd  and  the 
in.'ineer  who  accompanied  him,  confirm  this  fact.  Surely  the  meadows 
on  Hraddoik's  road  would  greatly  ovi balance  the  advantage  of  having 
grass  to  the  fool  ot  the  ridge,  on  tho  llaystown  road  ;  and  all  agree  that  a 
mnrc  barren  road  is  nowhere  to  be  found,  than  that  from  llaystown  to  the 
inhabitants,  which  is  likewise  to  be  considered. 

Another  principal  objection  made  to  Oenerul  Hraddock's  road  is  in 
regard  to  the  waters.  Hut  these  seldom  swell  so  much  as  to  obstruct  the 
nassagt.  The  Youghiogany  river,  which  is  the  most  rapid  and  soonest 
filled,  1  have  crossed  with  a  body  of  troops,  after  more  than  thirty  days' 
ahnost  continuous  rain.  In  fine,  any  dilRciilties  on  this  score  are  so 
trivial  that  they  really  are  not  worth  mentioning.  The  Monongahela,  the 
lurgest  of  all  these  rivers,  may,  if  necessary,  be  easily  avoided,  as  Mr. 
I'razier,  the  principal  guide  informs  me,  by  passing  a  defile,  and  even 
that  he  says,  may  be  shunned. 

Again,  it  is  said,  there  are  many  defiles  on  this  road.  I  grant  that 
there  are  some,  but  I  know  of  none  that  may  not  be  traversed  ;  and  I 
siinidd  he  glad  to  be  informed  where  a  road  can  be  had  over  these  moun- 
tains, not  subject  to  the  same  inconvenience.  The  shortness  of  the 
distance  between  llaystown  and  Loyal  Hanna  is  used  as  an  argument 
against  this  road,  which  bears  in  it  something  unaccountable  to  me  ;  for 
1  must  beg  leave  to  ask  whethc^r  it  requires  more  time  or  is  more  difficult 
and  expensive,  to  go  one  hundred  and  forty-five  miles  on  a  good  road 
already  made  to  our  hands  than  to  cut  one  hundred  miles  anew,  and  a 
great  part  of  the  way  over  impassable  mountains. 

That  the  old  road  is  many  miles  nearer  Winchester  in  Virginia,  and 
Fort  Frederick  in  Maryland,  than  the  contemplated  one  is  incontestible  ; 
and  I  will  here  show  the  distance  from  Carlisle  by  the  two  routes,  fixing 
the  different  stages,  some  of  which  I  have  from  information  only,  but 
others  1  boliove  to  be  e^act.  From  this  computation  there  appears  to  be 
a  difference  of  nineteen  miles  only.  Were  all  the  supplies  necessarily  to 
come  from  Carlisle,  it  is  well  known  that  the  goodness  of  the  old  road  is 
a  sufficient  compensation  lor  the  shortness  of  the  other,  as  the  wrecked 
and  broken  wagons  there  clearly  demonstrate : 

31 


242  HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND.  [1758. 

FROM  CARLISLE  TO  FORT  DUQUESNK  «Y  WXY  OF  RAYSTOWN. 

Miles. 

From  Carlisle  to  Shippensburg 21 

"      Shippensburg  to  Fort  Loudon  2i 

"      Fort  Loudon  to  Fort  Littleton 20 

"      Fort  Littleton  to  Juniatta  Crossing , 14 

"      Juniatta  Crossing  to  Raystown 14 

"      Raystown  to  Fort  Duquesne 100 

193 

FROM    CARLISLE    TO  FORT  DUQUESNE  BY  WAY  OF  F0BT8   FREDERICK  AND 

CUMBERLAND. 

Miles. 

From  Carlisle  to  Shippensburg 21 

"      Shippensburg  to  Chambers' 12 

"      Chambers' to  Pacelin's 12 

"      Pacelin's  to  Fort  Frederick 12 

"      Fort  Frederick  to  Fort  Cumberland 40 

97 
"      Fort  Cumberland  to  Fort  Duquesne 115 

212 

All  that  Washington  could  say,  however,  was  of 
no  avail,  and  Colonel  Bouquet  was  ordered  at  ouce 
to  have  his  men  go  to  work  on  the  new  road. 

About  one-fifth  of  the  force  at  Fort  Cumberland  was 
taken  sick  early  in  August,  and  no  salt  provisions  of 
any  kind  were  on  hand,  nor  an  ounce  of  salt,  so  that 
all  fresh  meat  had  to  be  barbacued  in  Indian  style. 
which  process  caused  a  loss  of  at  least  one-lialf 
There  were  no  pack  horses  in  camp,  and  in 
order  to  equip  Captain  McKenzie's  company  for  a 
march  of  fourteen  days,  upon  wliich  it  had  been 
ordered,  five  horses  W(;re  pressed  from  some  country- 
men who  had  come  to  the  camp  on  business. 
Colonel  iJurd's  men  were  sick,  and  all  were 
greatly  dispirited.  Washington  said,  ''This  sickness 
and  depression  of  spirits  cannot  arise  from  the 
situation  of  our  camp,  which  is  undoubtedly  the  most 
healthy    oi'    any    grouiid   in    this    vicinity,    but  is 


1758.] 


AN    INDIGNANT    EPISTLE. 


243 


occasioned,  I  apprehend,  by  the  change  in  their  mode 
of  living,  and  by  the  limestone  water." 

There  was  a  vast  amount  of  impatience  exhibited 
l)V  some  of  the  officers,  and  this  was  aggravated  by 
the  selfislmess  and  lack  of  patriotism  displayed  by 
those  settlers  and  traders  who  had  inliuence,  and 
who  were  more  interested  in  securing  the  construc- 
tion of  a  road  at  the  expense  of  the  government  than 
in  the  success  of  the  enterprise  against  Fort  Duquesne. 
The  following  letter  was  written  by  Robert  Munford, 
a  Virginian,  to  his  uncle  ,Theodoric  Bland,  Sr.,  and 
is  found  amongst  the  "Bland  Papers  :" 

Camt  near  Fort  Cumhkrland,  August  4th,  1758. 
Hon'i)  Sir  :  If  'tis  honorable  to  be  in  the  service  of  one's  country, 
'lis  a  reputation  gain'd  by  the  most  cruel  hardships  you  can  imagine, 
occasioned  more  by  a  real  anxiety  for  its  welfare,  than  by  what  the  poor 
carcase  suffers.  Every  officer  seems  discontented  in  camp,  liappy  on 
■ommaud,  so  deep  is  the  interest  of  our  country  implanted  in  the  minds 
of  all.  Sometimes  the  army  wears  a  gloomy,  then  a  joyous,  aspect,  just 
as  the  news  either  confirms  our  stay  here,  or  our  departure.  The  General 
with  the  small  pox  in  one,  the  flux  in  the  other,  division  of  our  forces, 
anci  no  provision  ready,  are  indeed  excuses  for  our  being  here  at  present; 
yet  all  might  have  been  prevented.  A  few  hearty  prayers  are  every  mo- 
ment offered  up  for  those  self-interested  Pennsylvanians  who  endeavor  to 
I'levail  on  our  General  to  cut  a  road  for  their  convenience,  from  Rays- 
town  to  Fort  Duquesne,  that  a  trifling  good  to  particulars,  should  retard 
what  would  conduce  to  the  general  welfare !  'Tis  a  set  of  dirty 
Dukftmeu,  they  say,  that  keeps  us  here  !  It  would  be  impertinent  to 
condemn,  yet  I  must  [think]  our  leaders  too  deliberate  at  thi&  important 
juncture,  when  all  are  warm  tor  action,  all  breathing  revenge  against  an 
enemy  that  have  even  dared  to  scalp  our  men  before  our  eyes.  The 
amusement  we  have  in  the  meantime  is  only  following  the  brave  dogs 
over  the  mour.lains  for  some  miles,  and  our  sole  satisfaction  sufficient 
fatigue  to  make  us  sleep  sound.  An  old  scoundrel  has  intimated  to  the 
(teneral  that  the  Virginians  have  bribed  the  guides;  for  'tis  practicable 
to  f(o  the  new  road,  contrary  to  their  report.  We  have  lost  all  our 
Indians  by  the  assistance  of  a  man,  the  [aforesaid]  old  dog,  who  inter- 
posed through  some  dirty  views  he  has  of  superseding  Mr.  Atkins.  Thus 
jtre  our  officers  in  a   manner   ruined  by  persons    whose    souls    scorn  a 


244 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1758. 


thought  that  tends  not  immediately  to  their  own  advantage.  I'm  sorry 
to  live  upon  my  country,  when  I've  so  small  a  prospect  of  repaying  her 
by  any  service.  We  shall  march  to  Raystown  .shortly,  thence  to  the  Fort* 
it' permitted.  I  shall  embrace  the  next  opportunity  of  writing  you  our 
transactions,  and  am  as  always,  dear  sir,  your  most 

aflTte  nephew,  «^c 

R.  MUNB'ORI). 
P.  8.     By  express,  we  have  an  acc't  that  some  of  the  enemy  Indians 
have  joined  the  Pennsylvanians. 

On  the  17th  of  August  a  wagoner  was  shot,  and 
his  horse  killed,  within  three  miles  of  the  Fort,  and 
several  parties  of  hostile  Indians  were  seen  in  the 
woods.  Four  days  later  the  following  letter  was 
written  to  Colonel  Bouquet,  by  Washington : 

Camp  at  Fort  Cumherland,  21  August,  1758. 
Dear  Sir  : 

Twenty-five  Catawbas  came  here  this  evenir.^,  and  the   convoy  may 

be  expected  day  after  to  morrow,  as  it  was  at  Pearsall's  last  night. 

Governor  Sharpe  may  be  expected  here  in  a  day  or  two.     I  am  at » 

loss  to  know  how  he  ranks  and  whether  he  is  entitled  to  the  conimaiui. 

In  the  British  army  his  rank  is  that  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  only,  but  what 

it  may  be  as  governor,  in  his  own  province,  I  really  do  not  know,  nor 

whether  he  has  any  out  of  the  troops  of  his   own  province.     I  should, 

therefore,  be  glad  of  your  advice,  being  unwilling    to  dispute  the  matter 

with  him  wrongfully,  or  to  give  up  the  command  if  I  have  a  right  to  it. 

Governor  Sharpe  arrived  at  Fort  Cumberland 
shortly  afterwards,  but  Washington's  position  as 
commander-in-chief  was  not  interfered  with.  Indeed 
Governor  Sharpe  was  more  interested  in  the  suc- 
cessful prosecution  of  the  enterprise  against  Fort 
Duquesne  than  in  tlie  matter  of  personal  glory.  He 
gave  all  the  aid  and  encouragement  in  his  power  to 
the  project,  and  did  all  that  could  be  expected  ot 
him.  The  delay,  however,  in  the  movements  of  the 
army  had  resulted  in  the  greatest  depression  to  tlie 
entire  command,  and  in  the  total  annihilation  of  the 

•Fort  Duquesne. 


I^^aa^^b!^^^^^?^^^mw]7^^^^7^ 


1758.] 


WASHINGTON    DESPONDENT. 


245 


enthusiasm  with  which  they  had  advanced  thus  far. 
Two  months  of  inactivity  had  filled  Wasliington  with 
disappointment  and  apprehension,  and  he  addressed 
the  ibllowing  letter  to  vSpeaker  Robinson,  of  the 
House  of  Burgesses,  than  which  a  more  gloomy  one 
he  probably  never  indited : 

Camp  at  Fort  Cumherland,  1  September,  1758. 
My  Dkau  Sir  : 

We  are  still  encamped  here,  very  sickly  and  quite  dispirited  at  the 
Iirnspect  before  us. 

That  appearance  of  glory  which  we  had  once  in  view,  that  hope,  that 
laudable  ambition  of  serving  our  country,  and  meriting  its  applause,  are 
now  110  more;  all  is  dwindled  into  ease,  sloth,  and  fatal  inactivity.  In  a 
word  all  is  lost,  if  the  ways  of  men  in  ])Ower,  like  certain  ways  of 
Providence,  are  not  inscrutable.  But  we,  who  view  the  actions  of  great 
min  at  a  distance,  can  only  form  conjectures  agreeably  to  a  limited 
perceJ)tion ;  and  being  ignorant  of  the  comprehensive  schemes  which 
limy  be  in  contiMuplation,  might  mistake  egregiously  in  judging  of  things 
from  appearances,  or  by  the  lump.  Yet  every  fool  will  have  his  notions — 
will  prattle  and  talk  away;  and  why  may  not  1?  We  seem  then  in  my 
opinion  to  act  under  the  guidance  of  an  evil  geiiius.  The  conduct  of 
our  leaders,  if  not  actuated  by  superior  orders  is  tempered  with  something 

I  du  not  care  to  give  a  name  to.     Nothing  now  but  a  miracle  can  bring 
this  campaign  to  a  happy  issue. 

Washington  evidently  devoted  a  considerable 
portion  of  his  time  while  at  Fort  Cumberland,  on  this 
occasion,  to  a  correspondence  of  a  more  tender  nature 
tiian  tliat  given  in  these  pages.  There  are  on  record 
numerous  evidences  of  many  hours  spent  in  the 
contemplation  of  the  graces  and  perfections  of  his 
lady  love,  whose  vision  brightened  the  solitaiy 
oveniugs  of  camp  life,  and  recently  there  was  sold  in 
New  York  an  autograph  letter  written  by  him  at 
tliis  time,  to  Mrs.  Sarah  Fairfax,  who  was  formerly 

II  Miss  (Jary.     She  had  at  one  time  been  the  object 
of  Washington's  aifections,  and  he  had  made  her  a 


246 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1758. 


proposal  of  marriage,  whicli  she  declined,  as  she 
had  already  given  her  heart  to  Mr.  George  William 
Fairfax.  Until  twelve  months  since  this  letter  was 
never  published,  and  is  now  for  the  first  time 
embraced  in  the  contents  of  a  book.  It  was  fouml 
among  the  papers  of  Mrs.  Fairfax;  who  died  at 
the  age  of  eighty-one  years,  in  Bath,  England,  where 
she  had  lived  widowed,  childless  and  infirm  for  nianv 
years.     The  letter  is  as  follows: 

Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland,  12th  September,  1758. 
Dear  Madam  :— 

Yesterday  I  was  honored  with  your  short  but  very  agreeable  favor  of  the 
first  i.ist — how  joyfully  I  catch  at  the  happy  occasion  of  a  renewing  a  corres- 
pondence which  I  feared  was  disrelished  on  your  part,  I  leave  to  time  that 
never  failing  expositor  of  all  things— and  to  a  monitor  equally  faithful  in  my 
own  breast  to  testify.  In  silence  I  now  express  my  joy.  Silence,  whicli,  in 
some  cases—  I  wish  the  present — speaks  more  intelligently  than  the  sweetest 
eloquence. 

If  you  allow  that  any  honour  can  be  derived  from  my  opposition  to  our 
present  system  of  management  you  destroy  the  merit  of  it  entirely  in  me  by 
attributing  my  anxiety  to  the  animating  prospect  of  possessing  Mrs.  Custis— 
when— I  need  not  name  it— guess  yourself— Should  not  my  own  Honor  ami 
country's  welfare  be  the  excitement?  'Tis  true.  I  profess  myself  a  votary 
of  Love — I  acknowledge  that  a  lady  is  in  the  case— and  further  I  confess  that 
this  lady  is  known  to  you. — Yes,  madam,  as  Well  aa  she  is  to  one  who  is  too 
sensible  of  her  charms  to  deny  the  Power  whose  Influence  he  feels  and  must 
ever  submit  to.  I  feel  the  force  of  her  amiable  beauties  in  the  recollection  of 
a  thousand  tender  jiassages  that  I  could  wish  to  obliterate,  till  Iain  bid  to 
revive  them, — but  exjierience,  alas  !  sadly  reminds  me  how  impossible  this 
is,— and  evinces  ail  opinion  which  I  have  long  entertained,  that  there  is  a 
Destiny,  which  has  the  sovereign  control  of  our  actions- not  to  be  resisted  by 
the  strongest  efl'orts  of  Human  Nature. 

You  have  drawn  me,  d-ar  madam,  or  rather  I  have  drawn  myself,  into  au 
honest  confession  of  a  simple  Fact — misconstrue  not  mv  meaning— doubt  it 
not,  nor  expose  it— The  world  has  no  business  to  know  the  object  of  my  Love 
— declared  in  this  manner  to  you— when  I  want  to  conceal  it.  One  tbiu|: 
above  all  things  in  this  world  I  wish  to  know,  and  only  one  i)erson  of  your 
acquaintance  can  solve  me  that  or  guess  my  meaning — but  adieu  to  this  till 
happier  times,  if  I  ever  shall  see  them.  The  hours  at  present  are  nielancholy 
dull,  neither  the  rugged  toils  of  war,  nor  the  gentler  conflict  of  A 
is  in  my  choice.  I  dare  believe,  you  are  as  happy  as  you  say 
huppy  also.  Mirth,  good  humor,  ease  of  mind  and 
render  you  so  and  consummate  your  wishes. 

If  one  agreeable  lady  could  almost  wish   herself  a  fine  gentleman  for  the 


n — s 
I  wish  1  was 
what  else  ?  cannot  fail  to 


;^si^i-;'A"v.iaKl««i«i« 


1758.] 


THE   TWO   ROADS. 


247 


sake  of  another;  I  apprehend,  that  many  fine  gentlemen  will  wish  themselves 
finer  e'er  Mrs.  Spotswood  is  possest.  She  has  already  become  a  reigning  toast 
in  tiiis  camp;  and  many  tliere  are  in  it,  who  intend  (fortune  favoring)  to  make 
honorable  scars  speak  the  fullness  of  their  merit  and  be  a  messenger  of  their 
liOve  to  her. 

I  cannot  easily  forgive  the  unseasonable  haste  of  my  last  express,  if  he 
deprived  me  thereby  of  asingle  word  you  intended  to  add,— the  time  of  the 
present  messenger  is,  as  the  last  might  have  been,  entirely  at  your  disposal. 
I  can't  expect  to  hear  from  my  friends  more  than  this  once  before  the  fate  of 
the  expedition  will  somehow  or  other  be  determined.  I  therefore  beg  to 
ismiw  when  you  set  out  for  Hampton  and  when  you  expect  to  return  to 
ISelvoir  again — and  I  should  be  glad  also  to  hear  of  your  speedy  departure  as 
I  shall  thereby  hope  for  your  return  before  I  get  down;  the  disappointment  of 
seein(»  your  family  would  giye  me  much  concern — From  anything  I  can  yet  see 
'lis  hardly  possible  to  say  when  we  shall  finish.  I  don't  think  there  is  a  proba- 
bility of  it  till  the  middle  of  November,  Your  letter  to  Captain  Gist  I 
forwarded  by  a  safe  hand  the  moment  it  came  to  me,  His  answer  shall  be 
carefully  transmitted. 

Col.  Mercer,  to  whom  I  delivered  your  message  and  compliments,  joins  i.ie 
very  heartily  in  w'  hing  you  and  the  Ladies  of  Belvoir  the  perfect  enjoyment 
«,•■  every  happiness  ihis  world  affords.  Be  assured  that  I  am,  Dr  madam,  with 
the  most  unfeigned  regard,  yr  most  obedient  and  most  oblig'd  H'ble  serv't, 

G.  WASHINGTON. 

N.  B.  Many  accidents  happening  (to  use  a  vulgar  saying)  between  the 
cup  and  the  lip,  I  choose  to  make  the  exchange  of  carpets  myself,  since  I 
find  you  will  not  do  me  the  honor  to  accej)t  mine. 

On  the  10  til  of  September  Washington  left  Fort 
Ciiinberljind,  for  Raystown,  at  which  place  he  arrived 
on  the  same  day.  He  had  a  conference  with  General 
Forbes,  in  which  the  situation  was  discussed  at 
length.  Major  Halket  wrote  to  Governor  Sliarpe, 
the  same  date,  as  follows : 

Camp  at  Reastown,  Kith  September,  1758. 
Dkar  Sir  :  This  evening  Colonel  Washington  arrived,  who  .surprises 
the  (renernl  extremely  by  the  account  that  he  gives  of  the  great  scarcity 
|>f  provisions  at  Fort  Cumberland,  after  having  wrote  to  Colonel  Boq.iet 
!*!)  Itiliy  upon  that  subject,  however,  the  (Jeneral  (who  is  greatly  fatigiKnl 
rrom  the  business  that  his  just  coming  to  Reastown  has  oblidged  him  to 
L'o  through)  has  ordered  me  to  inform  you  that  he  will  Rend  off  a  convoy  of 
provisions  to  morrow,  the  particulars  of  which  Mr.  Sinclair  will  inform 
.V1U  of,  at  the  aatne  time  the  bearer  carries  orders  for  all  the  Virginians 
to  be  ready  to  march  immediately  upon  the  arrival  of  Colonel  Wash- 
ui(,'ton,  who  sets  out  for  that  purpose  to  morrow  morning,  which  will 
the   consumption    of    provisions    at    Fort    Cumberland    very 


248 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1758. 


considerably,  and  make  it   a  very  easy  matter  to  support  you  for  the 
future,  as  your  numbers  will  be  so  much  diminished. 

Three  days    ago    commissary    clerk    wrote    to    Mr.    Rutherford,  ut 
Winchester,  to  supply }  our  people  with  spirits,  and  all  the  other  necessary? 
that  you  desir'd  which  letter  I  hope  will  be  in  good  time  to  answer  your 
expectations.     I  am  dear  sir,  your  most  obdt  humble  servant, 
To  GovKiiNoR  SiiAKPE.  FRANCIS  HALKETT. 

Upon  Washington's  departure  from  Fort  Cumber- 
land, Governor  Sliarpe  took  command  of  the  post,  and 
had  a  garrison  composed  of  Maryland  troops  alone, 
after  the  Virginians  had  left.  In  the  latter  part  of 
Sej)tember,  by  an  unavoidable  accident  one  of  the 
storehouses  located  on  the  river  bank,  and  used  for 
the  deposit  of  ammunition  was  blown  up,  and  most 
of  its  contents  destroyed.  A  few  days  after  this 
occurrence  Governor  Sharpe  received  the  followin;: 
letter : 


Sir: 


Cami'  at  Rkastowx,  2d  October  1T58. 


About  this  time  we  expect  their  will  be  a  number  of  the  Shannomlo 
Waggons  arriving  at  Fort  Cumberland  with  provisions  from  Win- 
chester; the  General  therefore  begs  that  you  will  be  so  good  as  to 
engage  as  many  of  them  as  possible  upon  the  same  terms  as  the 
Pennsylvania  waggons,  to  go  upon  our  Expe 'ition,  and  tluit  you  will 
take  the  opportunity  of  their  coming  here,  to  send  over  all  the  Buck  sbott 
at  Fort  Cumberland,  seven  Boxes  containing  two  hundred  weight  each, 
were  lodged  in  the  new  store  under  the  hill,  which  was  sent  from  Fort 
Frederick  along  with  the  shelles.  Six  hundred  weight  was  likewise 
lodged  in  store  that  was  blown  up,  if  any  of  that  remains  undistroyed. 
you  will  send  it  also,  and  provided  the  carriages  can  be  ready  time 
enough  they  may  take  the  benefite  of  the  officer  and  thirty  men  sent  from 
the  Second  Virginia  Regiment  for  horses,  to  escort  them — if  this  party 
marched  before  that  the  waggons  can  be  got  Ready  they  must  be  escorteil 
by  the  Recover'd  men  of  the  Virginia  Regiments. 

If  their  are  any  spair  wheels  or  carriages  for  Howitzers  be  pleiiseil 
to  send  them  likewise  in  some  of  the  empty  Waggons,  Captain  Hiiy 
having  brought  no  spair  ones  with  the  Train,  and  we  may  come  to 
have  occasion  for  them.         I  am,  sir  _„ 

your  most  obedient  humble  servt, 
To  Gov.  SiiARi'K,  Fort  Cumberland.  FRANCIS  HALKETT. 


&--_£:a 


vi^ 


>.S#'*;\- 


1758.] 


GENKRAT-   FoKBKS'    ARMY. 


249 


In  compliance  with  this  letter  Governor  Sharpe 
sent  forwartl  all  the  .shot  and  shell  remaining  at  the 
fort,  except  a  small    quantity    necessary   for   the 


garrison. 


The   force    under   (jieneral   Forbes    command,  at 
Ravstown,  at  this  time,  was  as  follows: 

Name  of  Corps. 


tal.| 

IS.    i 


No.  of  field  Company 

Officers 

Division  of  1st.  Battal 

of  Royal  Americans 

The  Hidiland  or  r)2d   reg't,     ;{ 

Division  of  ditto.  1^ 

1st  Viri^inia  Regiment.  '^ 

'ind  Virginia  Regiment.  3 

H  N.  Carolina  companies.         1 

4  Maryland  companies.  I 

1st  Biittallion )  „       ,  :{ 

., ,             1        [  I  enn  a.  ., 

id            do      >  I,     •         t  ■< 

.,  1             1        1  Regiment  ., 

,{d            do     )  ^  .1 

The  three  lower  Counties, 

Total, 


ficers. 

Total 

12 

3ti3 

37 
12 
32 
36 
10 

998  1 
2691 
782) 
702  1 
141 

15 

270 

41 

75.5] 

40 

6G6  ■ 

46 

771 

26.3 

1267 
1484 


5980 


Detachments  on  the  frontiers  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  road  of  commu- 
nication. 

From  the  I  Total 

Penn'ii.  Repiment.  |       1   Major.  10  Captains.  17  Subalterns.  563 

From  the  North    I  Total 

Carolina  Regiment  )  1  !!  61  62 1 

Early  in  September  the  advance  of  the  army  at 
Raystown  had  moved  foi'ward  to  Loyal  Hanna,  near 
Fort  LigDiiier,  and  on  the  11th  of  that  month  Major 
Grant,  of  the  Highland  Regiment,  marched  oft'  on  a 
proniature  movement  against  Fort  Duqiiesne,  taking 
with  him  a  force  of  37  officers  and  805  men.  On  the 
Uth  he  reached  a  point  within  eleven  mih^s  of  Fort 
l^uquesne,  where  he  left  the  baggage,  under  a  guard 
<tt-^<hnon,  and  moved  forward  with  the  rest  of  the 
t-Diinnand  to  the  summit  of  a  liill,  less  than  half  a 
inik'  from  the  fort,  which  point  he  reached  al)out 
midnight. 

'Major  Grant  sent   two  offit^ers  and  fifty   men  to 


250 


HISTOKV    OF    CUMBERLAND. 


[1758. 


the  fort,  to  attack  all  the  Indians,  &c.,  thev  should 
find  lying  out  of  the  fort;  they  saw  none,  nor  were 
they  challenged  by  the  sentries.  As  they  returned, 
they  set  fire  to  a  large  store  house,  which  was  put 
out  as  soon  as  they  left  it.  At  break  of  day,  Major 
Lewis  was  sent,  with  200  men  (loyal  Americans  and 
Virginians),  to  lie  in  ambush  a  mile  and  a  half  from 
the  main  body,  on  the  path  on  which  they  left  their 
baggage,  imagining  the  French  would  send  to  attack 
the  baggage  guard  and  seize  it.  Four  hundred  men 
were  posted  along  the  hill  lacing  the  fort,  to  cover 
the  retreat  of  Major  M' Don  aid's  company,  who 
marched  with  drums  beating  toward  the  fort,  in 
order  to  draw  a  party  out  of  the  fort,  as  Major 
Grant  had  some  reason  to  believe  there  were  not 
above  200  men  in  the  fort,  including  Indians; 
but  as  soon  as  they  heard  the  drums,  they  sallied 
out  in  great  numbers,  both  French  and  Indians. 
and  fell  upon  Captain  M'Donald,  and  two  columns 
that  were  posted  lower  on  the  hill  to  receive  them. 
The  Highlanders  exposed  themselves  without  any 
cover,  and  were  shot  down  in  great  numbers,  and 
soon  forced  to  retreat.  The  Carolinians,  Marylanders. 
and  Lower  Countrymen,  concealing  themselves 
behind  trees  and  the  brush,  made  a  good  defence;  but 
were  overpowered  by  numbers,  and  not  being  suj)- 
ported,  were  obliged  to  follow  the  rest.  Major  (rrant 
exposed  himself  in  the  thickest  of  the  fire,  and 
endeavored  to  rally  his  men,  but  all  to  no  purpose, 
as  they  were  by  this  time  Hanked  on  all  sides.  Major 
Lewis  and  his  party  came  up  and  engaged,  but  were 
soon  obliged  to  give  way,  the  enemy  having  the  hill 


l7^jS.] 


MA.lOli   (JRANTS    DKFKAT. 


251 


of  hini,  and  flanking  him  vvory  way.  A  number 
wore  drove  into  the  Ohio,  most  of  whom  were 
(liowiR'd.  Major  Grant  retreated  to  the  baggage, 
where  Captain  Bullet  was  posted  with  fifty  men,  and 
again  endeavored  to  rally  the  tlying  soldiers,  by 
entreating  them  in  the  most  pathetic  numner  to  stand 
liy  him,  but  all  in  vain,  as  the  enemy  were  close  at 
their  heels.  As  soon  as  the  enemy  came  up  to 
Captain  Bullet,  he  attacked  them  very  furiously,  for 
some  tinic!,  Init  not  being  supported,  and  most  of  his 
men  killed,  was  obliged  to  giv '  way.  However,  his 
attacking  them  stopped  the  pursuit,  so  as  to  give 
many  an  opportunity  of  escaping.  The  enemy 
followed  Major  Grant,  and  at  last  separated  them, 
and  Ca[)tain  Bullet  was  obliged  to  make  off'.  He 
imagines  the  Major  must  be  taken,  as  he  was  sur- 
rounded on  all  sides,  but  the  enemy  -would  not  kill 
him,  and  often  called  to  him  to  surrender.  The 
French  gave  quarters  to  all  that  \vould  accept  it."'"' 

The  rear  division  of  the  British  army  moved  from 
Raystown  for  Loyal  Hanna  on  the  14th  of  October, 
at  which  place  itlaj  until  the  18th  of  November,  when 
it  marched  under  General  Forbes  for  Fort  Duquesne. 
On  the  25th  of  November  the  command  arrived  at 
Fort  Duquesne,  but  the  French  had  set  fire  to  the  fort, 
and  retreated  down  the  river,  so  that  General  Forbes 
had  no  difficulty  in  taking  possession  of  the  place. 

On  approaching  the  fort  it  was  discovered  that  a 
imniber  of  the  Highlanders  who  had  been  taken 
prisoners  in  the  fight  with  Major  Grant,  had  been 
horribly  mutilated,  their  heads  having  been  impaled 

♦Pemiovlvaiiitt  Oazette,  17S8 . 


262 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


[1768. 


on  stakes  driven  in  the  ground,  and  their  kilts  at- 
tached thereto.  'IMiis  act  of  l)arbariHni  thoroudilv 
enraged  the  Highlanders,  who  were  in  an  ecstacy  of 
disappointment  at  not  being  able  to  avenge  their 
decapitated  comrades. 

Governor  Sharix3  returned  to  Annapolis  in  the 
middle  of  Octoljer,  and  on  the  22d  the  militia  at  Fort 
Cumberland  were  paid  off,  but  Avere  continued  there 
on  garriscm  duty. 

In  December  the  Maryland  Assembly  took  into 
consideratitm  the  condition  of  the  road  between  Fon 
Frederick  and  Fort  (Juud)erland,  with  a  view  to 
securing  the  construction  of  a  shorter  road  between 
these  points,  the  locjition  of  which  should  be  entirely 
in  Maryland,  thus  obviating  the  necessity  of  fordin^i 
the  Potomac.  A  committee,  consisting  of  Messrs. 
Colonel  Thomas  C /esap,  Oabb,  Josei)h  Chapline,  E. 
Dorsey,  Josias  liei.ll  and  Francis  King,  members  of 
the  Assembly,  was  ai)pointed  for  the  purpose  of 
inquiring  into  the  convenience  of  clearing  a  road 
from  Fort  Frederick  to  F^ort  Cumberland,  through 
Maryland,  and  to  make  an  estimate  of  the  cost  of 
the  same.     The  committee  reported  as  follows  : 

Vour  committee  have  made  an  eiKjuiry  into  the  Situation  of  the 
present  wagon  road  from  Fort  Frederick  to  Fort  Cumberland,  and  are  of 
opinion  that  the  distance  by  that  Road  from  one  Fort  to  the  other  is  at 
least  Eighty  miles,  and  find  that  the  wagons  which  go  from  one  Fort  to 
the  other  are  obliged  to  pass  the  river  Potowmuok  twice,  and  that  for  one 
third  of  the  year  they  can't  pass  without  bouts  to  set  tliem  overtiie 
River. 

Your  committee  have  also  made  an  Enquiry  into  the  condition  of  the 
Ground  where  a  road  may  most  conveniently  be  made  to  go  altogether 
on  the  north  side  of  the  Potowmack  which  will  not  exceed  the  distance 
of  Sixty-two  miles  at  the  expense  of  £250  current  money,  as  miy  appear 
from  the  following  Estimate,  viz  :  ,,    . 


1758.]  COST   OF    THK    NEW    HOAD.  253 

AN  KSTIMATK  UF  THIO  KXPKKSK  OF  CMiARINO  KOAP  KK(/M    KURT  ntKDKHIC'K 
TO  FORT  (lUMIIKRI.ANI),  AND  TIIK  8EVKRAI.  DIKFIOKKN'T  HTA(;ii:8  : 

£   B   d 
For  clearing  a  lload  from   Fort  Frederick  to  liicking  creek,  3^ 

miles 0  0  0 

From  Licking  creek  to  Prakes's  creek,  8}  miles 12  0  0 

From  I'rakcs's  creek  to  Sideling  Hill  creek,  12  miles 16  0  0 

For  a  bridge  over  Sideling  Hill  creek CO  0  0 

From  Sideling  Hill  creek  to  Fifteen  Mile  creek,  4  miles 22  0  0 

From  Fifteen  Mile  creek  to  Town  creek,  IS  miles 140  0  0 

From  Town  creek  to  Col.  Cresap's,  a  good  road,  4  miles 0  0  0 

From  Col.  Cresap 's  to   Fort  Cumberland,  wants  no  clearing,  15 

miles 0  0  0 

£250  0  0 
Your  committee  are  of  opinion   that  a  Rood  through  Maryland  will 

contribute  much  to  lessen  the  expense  of  carrying  Provision  and  warlike 

stores  from  Fort  Frederick  to  Fort  Cumberland,  and  will  induce  many 

jieople  to  travel  and  carry  on  a  trade  in  and  through  the  Province,  to  and 

from  the  buck  country. 

This  road  was  eventually  constructed. 

Washington  returned  to  Mount  Vernon,  irom  Fort 
Diiqiicsne,  where  he  was  married  to  Mrs.  Custis,  and 
settled  down  to  domestic  pursuits. 

After  the  capture  of  Fort  Duquesne,  a  small  force 
of  British  troops  was  returned  to  Fort  Cumberland, 
iind  continued  there  as  a  garrison,  the  Maryland 
Assembly  having  manifested  a  decided  disinclination 
to  incm^  the  expense  of  keeping  it  up.  The  King's 
oificers  did  not  feel  at  liberty  to  abandon  it,  since  it 
was  a  King's  Fort,  and  might  be  useful  in  preventing 
hidians  from  descending  upon  the  settlements  in 
force,  without  being  observed.  As  a  matter  of  f^ict, 
Iiowever,  the  garrison  was  useless,  it  being  so  weak 
ill  point  of  numbers  that  the  men  liardly  dared  go 
"utof  sight  of  the  Fort.  Hostile  savages  drove  the 
people  from  their  homes,  killing  many  and  destroy- 
ing their  property.     Colonel   Cresap,    whose    house 


SwitlMiiiililWl 


254 


HISTORY  OF   CUMUFHLAND. 


[1758. 


was  tlie  shelter  of  many  holplt'ss  n(M^lil)orH,  fniiillv 
took  his  own  family  back  to  the  Conococheague,  for 
safety,  tand  all  the  settlors  about  OhUown  followed 
him.  Having  i)lacecl  his  family  in  security,  CreHap 
raised  a  company  of  volunteers,  and  came  to  Fort 
Cumberland,  from  which  point  he  followed  Braddocks 
road  to  Savage  Mountain,  at  the  £c'  *^  of  whicb,  on 
the  west  side,  he  met  a  small  partj'  of  Indians,  iuid 
had  an  engagement  with  them,  in  the  course  of  which 
"his  son  Thomas  was  killed  by  an  Indian;  but  as 
both  fired  at  the  same  time,  he  also  killed  the  Indiiin. 
or  so  badly  wounded  him  that  he  was  killed  a  few 
minutes  afterwards  by  William  Lynn.  Nothiiif; 
more  was  done  at  this  time  or  place,  and  the  pait\ 
returned  home."* 

While  the  Indians  were  carrying  on  this  desolatiii:: 

war     upon     the    lioad 
waters  of  the  Potomac 
they   on    several  occa- 
sions attacked  tholioiif*c 
of  (Jolonel  Cresap,  and 
some  sharp  battles  oc- 
curred there.  Killhiick. 
who  bated    Cresap  bit- 
terly, made   several  at- 
tempts to  kill  him,  on  one 
occasion    hiding   about  in 
the     vicinity    for    several 

'^^W^^*^.    CBESAP'S  FORT.  ,  ,       ,  li.*     „    n 

^'  days,  but  never  gettnig  a 

view  of  his  enemy.  On  one  occasion  when  Crcsap's 
house  was  attacked,  the  Indians    killed  one  of  his 


CBESAP'S  FORT. 


^Jacob's  Life  of  Captain  Cresap. 


1758.] 


COLONEL  CKESAr   AS   A    PUOTECTOll. 


255 


Irii'iids,    Mr.    WildiT,    which     CrcHap  described    us 
foUowH  ill  a  letter  to  Ciovernor  Siiarpe: 

As  Mr.  Samuel  Wililer  wufi  K"'"^  '"  •*  house  of  his  about  .'100  yards 
(listHiit  from  miiio,  with  I  men  and  Hcvcral  women,  tlic  IiidiaiiH  fi-hed 
(in  lliem  from  a  risin;,' j^round,  but  thL7  perceiving  them  co'iiiuj;,  Hun 
towurds  my  house  hoUowiiif^,  which  being  heard  by  those  at  my  house, 
ihey  run  to  their  assistancu  and  met  them  and  the  Indians  at  the  Kntiance 
(if  luv  lane,  on  which  the  Indians  Immediivlely  fired  on  tiieui  to  the 
iimouiit  of  18  or  Twenty,  and  Killed  Mr.  Wilder, — the  party  of  white  men 
Returned  their  fire  and  killed  one  of  them  dead  on  the  spot  and  wounded 
severall  of  the  others  as  appeared  by  Considerable  t^uantity  of  Hlood 
sircwed  on  the  Ground,  p..i  they  Run  off,  which  they  Immediately  did,  and 
by  liieir  leaving  behind  them  '.\  Gunns,  one  pistole  and  Sundry  other  Km- 
pioments  of  war,  Ac.,  &c. 

I  have  Inclosed  a  List  of  the  Desolate  men,  women  and  children,  who 
have  !l(t'  lo  my  house  which  is  Inclosed  by  a  small  stockade  for  safety, 
by  wliicli  you'll  see  what  a  number  of  poor  Souls,  destitute  of  Ev'?ry 
'.ecpssary  of  Life  are  here  penned  up  and  likely  to  be  Butchered  without 
Immediate  Relief  and  assistance,  and  can  Kxpect  none,  unless  from  the 
province  to  which  they  Belong.  I  shall  submit  to  your  wiser  Judgment 
the  Best  and  most  Effectual  method  for  8noh  Kelief,  and  shall  Conclude 
with  hoping  we  shall  liiive  it  in  time. 

Indian  hostilities  being  kept  up  with  great  perti- 
nacity, Colonel  Cresap  organized  another  company 
of  Volunteers,  and  "with  his  surviving  sons — Daniel 
and  Michael — and  a  negro  of  gigantic  stature,  marched 
again,  taking  the  same  route  on  Braddock's  road. 
They  advanced  this  time  as  far  as  Negro  Mountain, 
where  they  met  a  party  of  Indians.  A  running  light 
took  place;  Cresap's  party  killed  an  Indian,  and  tlie 
Indians  killed  the  negro;  and  it  was  this  circum- 
stance— the  death  of  the  negro  on  the  mountain — 
that  has  immortalized  his  name  by  fixing  it  on  this 
ridge  forever.  This  was,  I  ])elieve,  Cohmel  Cresai)'s 
hist  battle  with  the  Indians,  for  after  peace  was  nuide 
lie  returned  to  his  farm  at  Oldtown."* 


'Jacob  B  Life  of  Captain  Cresap. 


256 


HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND. 


[17()0. 


Ill  17GG  the  contiict  bctAveeii  the  Indians  and  the 

whites   ceased,    peace    having    lx:'en    agreed   upon. 

Seven  months  previous,  however,  the  British  troops 

had  l3;3en  withdrawn  from  Fort  Cumljerhmd,  and  the 

settlers  were  left  to  their  own  resources.     The  final 

fict  of  the  British  government   u:   connection   with 

Fort  Cumlxirland  was  foreshadowed  in  the  followin-i 

letter  written  by  General  Gage  to  Governor  Sharpc. 

^nd  sixty  days  later  the  troops  here  were  sent  to  the 

South : 

New  York,  May  12,  ITiJj. 
Sir: 

As  1  sliall  soon  find  it  necessary  to  witlulraw  the  Troops  which 
are  now  in  Garrison  in  Fcrt  Cumberland  in  your  Province,  I  think  it 
proper  to  acquaint  you  of  it,  that  you  may  give  such  Direction  concerninfr 
*  *  *  *  the  Fort,  or  any  stores  which  tliere  may  be  beion;(in2  to 
your  Province,  as  you  shall  judge  necessary. 

tlis  Majesty  having  been  plea.sed  to  appoint  Colonel  Bouquet  to  the 
rank  of  Hngadier  General,  and  to  the  command  of  the  Troops  in  the 
Floridas,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Reid  will  take  the  command  on  the  sifit  ul 
Pittsburgh,  who  will  have  Directions  to  correspond  with  you  and  to  p;ivt' 
you  timely  notice  of  everything  of  moment  which  .shall  be  proper  for 
your  Information. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  great  Regard, 
Sir, 

your  most  obedient 

humble  servant, 
Hon'ble  Gov"r  SIIARPE.  TIIOS.  GAGH, 

The  cessation  of  Indinn  hostilities  rendeivtl  ;i 
garrison  at  Fort  Cumberland  longer  unnecessiiry,  iiii'l 
after  the  abandonment  of  the  place  1.)y  the  English 
soldiers,  the  provincial  stores  were  removed,  and  thr 
|)ost  was  never  again  occupied,  save  for  a  lew  dav.>*. 
ill  17'.U,  when  the  troops  engaged  in  suppressing  th' 
whisky  iiisurrectioii  were  gath<nvd  here. 

Tile  restoration  ol'  peace,  and  the  feeling  of  seciirit} 
resultinu'    therefrom,    led     maiiv     i)orsons    from  the 


1780.] 


KAULY    SKTTLEMENTS. 


257 


Eiisterii  counties  to  settle  in  this  section  of  country. 
From  what  is  now  Frederick  county  came  most  ol" 
the  early  setth'rs  about  Fort  Cuniherhuid,  nearly  all 
of  ^liciu  1)eing  emigrants  from  Germany  and  England. 
.Sottlements  sprung  up  at  Fort  Cum])erland.  Oldtovvn. 
on  George's  Creek,  and  at  points  further  west. 
Fivderick  county  then  embraced  all  the  Western 
part  of  Maryland,  and  it  was  not  until  177G  that 
Washington  count}'  was  taken  from  it.  In  ITS'J 
Allegany  county  was  organized. 


''^T»^?«?«^ 


STONE  SUPPOSED  TO  HAVE  BEEN  ERECTED   BY  BRADOOCK'S  COMMAND.   ANC  STiLL  STANDING  AT  EftOSIBURG  ■ 


33 


CUMBERLAND. 


1785-1876. 


The  various  Hottleineiits  west  of  Sideling  Hill 
continued  to  grow  in  nunil:Kirs,  until  the  population 
became  suffi'  ioiilly  great  to  justify  the  general  desire 
for  the  ere'.'tion  of  a  new  county,  in  order  that  the 
public  business  might  be  more  reachly  transacted. 
The  great  distance  which  the  people  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Fort  Cumberland  were  compelled  to  travel 
in  order  to  attend  court,  and  to  look  after  the  record?^ 
of  their  lantls,  &c.,  also  proved  of  great  inconvenience. 

The  first  steps  towards  furnishing  greater  con- 
veniences were  in  the  direction  of  incorporating  ii 
town,  and  at  the  meeting  of  the  Legislature  in  ITS" 
a  petition  was  read  in  the  House  praying  that  tiu- 
town  of  Cumberland  might  l>e  established,  the  town 
having  already  been  laid  of!'  in  1785.  by  Tlioniiis 
Beall,  of  Samuel,  who  was  owner  of  the  hind. 

The  town  was  located  upon  a  tract  of  land  called 
''Walnut  Bottom,"  -which  was  described  as  •'beginning 
at  two  bounded  white  oak  trees  standing  on  a  cliff  of 
rocks  at  the  lower  end  of  a  bottom  near  half  a  mile 


17S.1.] 


U'ASltlNGTON    TOWN. 


'ioO 


Ix^low  the  mouth  of  Will's  creek,  near  the  river  side." 
•Wahiut  Bottom"  was  surveyed  by  Th(mias  Cresap 
oil  the  1st  of  June,  1745,  for  Governor  Thomas 
Bliiden,  who  took  up  several  large  tracts  of  land  in 
this  .section  of  the  State,  which  was  at  that  time  em- 
braced in  Prince  George's  county.  Governor  Bladen 
t^old  his  right  to  "Walnut  Bottom"  to  George  Mason. 
of  Fairfax  county,  Virginia,  who  obtained  a  grant 
for  the  same  on  the  25th  of  March,  1750.  On  the 
2oth  of  October,  1783,  Mason  sold  "Walnut  Bottom" 
and  another  tract,  in  close  proximity,  called  "Lime 
Stone  Rock,"  (which  he  had  bought  of  Daniel  Cresap,) 
to  Thomas  Beall  of  Samuel,  for  the  sum  of  .£1,407.10 
current  money.  "Walnut  Bottom"  embraced  all  the 
bottom  land  lying  along  the  river  from  Mr.  F. 
Mortens'  boat  vard  to  Mr.  J.  G.  Lvnn's  residence, 
and  extending  back  *n  Maryland  Avenue,  Front 
Street  to  Vallev  Street,  and  thence  bv  a  line  tlirou^h 
the  Will's  Creek  Tannery  across  to  the  river. 

Immediately  after  purchasing  this  land,  Beall  went 
to  work  clearing  that  part  of  "Walnut  Bottom" 
lying  west  of  Will's  Creek,  and  erected  several  build- 
ings. In  1785  he  laid  out  a  town,  which  was 
commonly  called  Washington  Town,  and  sold  a 
number  of  lots  to  settlers.  Two  years  later  the 
inhabitants  of  the  place  petitioned  the  Legislature 
for  authority  to  establish  a  town,  which  they  wished 
to  name  after  the  old  Fort,  as  being  more  appropriate 
and  distinct  than  any  other  title  that  could  be  given  it. 

On  the  2()th  of  January,  1787.  the  following  act 
was  passed  by  the  Legislature,  authorizing  the  erection 
I'fthe  town  of  Cumberland: 


260 


HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[178; 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

An  Act  for  erecting  a  town  at  or  near  the  mouth   of  Will's  Creek,  in 

Washington  County. 

Whereas,  It  is  represented  to  this  general  assembly  by  Thomas  Beall, 

Son  of  Samuel,  that  he   is   possessed  of  a  tract  of  land  called  Walnut 

Bottom,  contiguous  to  the  mouth  of  Will's  creek,  in  Wuiihlngton  eountv, 

whereon,  at  the  instance  of  many  of  the  inhabitants   of  said  county,  he 

hath  been  induced  to  lay  out  gnnind  for  a  town  :  and  the  said  Thomas 

IJeall  hath  prayed  a  law  to  appoint  commissioners  to  lay  out  and  erect  a 

town  on  the  said  land    and    to  secure  the  purchasers    of  lots  tiierein, 

reserving  the  right  of  the  proprietors  and  their  interest  in  the  said  land; 

and  this  general  assembly  are  of  opinion  that  the  erecting  of  a  town  at 

the  mouth  of  the  said  creek  may  be    convenient   and    beneficial  to  the 

public. 

IT.  Be  it  eimcted  by  the  deneral  Assembly  of  Maryland,  That  Andrew 

Bruce,  Dfiiiiel  Cresap,  George  Dent,   .lohn   Lynn   and   Evan  Gwynn,  or 

any  three  or  more  of  them,  be  and  are  hereby  appointed  conunissionersto 

survey  a  quantity  of  land  not  exceeding  two  hundred  acres,  being  partol 

the  said  tract  of  land  called  Walnut  Bottom,  contiguous  to  the  mouth  of 

Will's  creek,  in  Washington  county,  and  the  same,  when  surveyed,  to  lav 

out  into  lots,  streets,  lanes    and  alleys,  (the   main  streets  running  in  the 

direction  of  Patowmack  river,  not  to   be  less   than  eighty  feet  wide;  and 

the  streets  crossing  the  said  main  streets  not  to  be  less  than  sixty  feet 

wide,)  to  be  erected  into  a  town,  and  to  be  called  and  known  by  the  name 

of  Cumberland;  and  a  correct  and  accurate  certificate   and  plot  thereof 

returned  to  the  clerk  of  Washington  county  court,  who  is  hereby  required 

to  record  the  same  among  the  Land  Records  of  the  said    county,  and  to 

keep  the  original  plot  in  his  office,  and  a  copy  from  the  originil  or  the 

record  thereof  shall  be  conclusive  evidence  as  to  the  bounds  and  lines  of 

the  lots  of  the  said  town,  and  of  the  streets,  lanes  and  alleys  thereof. 

III.  And  be  it  enacted.  That  the  said  commissioners,  or  a  major  part 
of  them,  shall  cause  the  said  lots  in  the  said  town  to  be  substantially  and 
fairly  bounded  and  numbered,  and  they  and  their  successors  are  hereby 
required,  from  time  to  time,  to  take  care  that  the  said  boundaries  be  con- 
stantly kept  up  and  preserved. 

IV.  And  be  it  enacted.  That  on  the  death,  removal  or  resignctioniOt 
any  of  the  said  commissioners,  the  major  part  of  the  remaining  coramis 
sioners  shall  appoint  another  to  serve  in  the  stead  of  such  commissioner 

so  dying,  removing  or  resigning. 

V.  And  be  it  enacted,  Tiiat  the  said  commissioners  of  the  said  town, 

or  a  major  part  of  them,  shall  have  full  power  to  employ  a  clerk,  who 
shall  be  under  oath,  fairly  and  honestly  to  enter  into  a  book  to  be  kept  for 
that  purpose,  all  the  proceedings  of  the  said  commissioners  relating  to  the 


[1781 


rs;.] 


LAYING   OFF   THE    TOWN. 


261 


Creek,  in 

nan  Beall, 
ed  Walnut 
ton  county, 
county,  he 
id  Thomas 
and  erect  a 
its  therein, 
said  land; 
P  a  town  at 
icial  to  the 

hat  Andrew 
Gwynn,  or 
)issioncrs  to 
►einf^  part  oi 
he  mouth  of 
eyed,  to  lay 
inin<(  in  the 
t  wide;  ami 
sixty  feet 
)y  the  name 
lot  thereof 
jy  required 
nty,  and  to 
nil  or  the 
md  lines  of 
lereof. 
major  part 
ntially  and 
are  hereby 
ies  be  con- 


Ignn 


tion.of 


aor  commis 
imissioner 


said  town, 
Iclerlc,  who 
Ue  kept  lot' 
Itingtothe 


■iaid  town,  in  which  hook,  among  other  things,  shall  be  entered  a  copy  of 
the  plot  and  certifica'e  of  the  said  town,  describing  every  lot  by  its  num- 
ber, and  who  the  taker  up,  or  purchaser  was  or  shall  be  ;  and  the  said 
book  shall  always  be  open  to  the  inspection  and  examination  of  the  said 
eomtnissioners. 

VI.  And  be  it  enacted,  That  the  said  commissioners,  or  a  major  part 
of  them,  are  empowered  to  levy,  assess  and  take,  by  way  of  distress,  if 
needful,  from  the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  by  even  and  equal  proportion, 
;i  sum  not  exceeding  ten  pounds  current  money  yearly,  to  be  paid  to  their 
clerk :  and  they  shall  have  power  to  remove  or  displace  their  clerk  as 
often  as  tliey  shall  think  fit. 

VII.  And  be  it  enacted,  That  every  purchaser  of  any  of  the  lots  of  the 
said  town  in  fee,  and  every  lessee  thereof,  for  years,  or  rent  reserved, 
shall  hold  and  possess  the  same  against  any  person  hereafter  claiming 
title  to  the  same,  and  shall  not  be  disturbed  in  their  possession  ;  and  if 
any  person  shall  hereafter  make  claim  to  the  land,  or  any  part  thereof, 
laid  off  in  virtue  of  this  act,  and  shall,  by  due  course  of  law,  make  good 
title  thereto,  such  person  shall  be  entitled  to  recover  from  the  said 
Thomas  Heall,  his  heirs,  devisee,  executors  or  administrators  any  pur- 
chase money  or  rents  by  him  received  from  any  of  the  purchasers  or 
lessees  of  any  of  the  said  lots,  and,  upon  any  such  recovery  the 
tenants  holding  under  the  said  Thomas  Beall  shall  thereafter  hold 
under  pay  the  rent  reserved  to  the  person  making  title  to  and  recov- 
ering the  same  land. 

VIII.  And  be  it  enacted^  That  if  any  of  the  buildings  already  built 
on  the  land  so  as  aforesaid  to  be  laid  out  by  the  said  commissioners, 
.ind  erected  into  a  town,  should  happen  to  interfere  with,  or  stand  on 
any  of  the  streets  laid  off  in  virtue  of  this  act  the  same  shall  be 
permitted  to  continue,  but  shall  not  at  any  time  hereafter  be  repaired 
or  rebuilt. 

The  provisions  of  this  act  were  carried  into  effect 
so  for  as  to  lay  off  the  town,  but  the  surveys,  boun- 
iliiries,  map,  &c.,  were  not  filed  amongst  the  land 
rocords  as  required. 

At  the  date  of  the  passage  of  the  act  authorizing 
the  erection  of  the  tovm  of  Cumberland  there  were 
l»iit  few  houses  here,  and  scarcely  more  than  thirty- 
live  families.  So  far  as  can  be  ascertained  the  actual 
'■''sidents  were  as  follows  : 


^<l 


202 


HISTOKV    OF    CUMHKRLAXI*. 


[178; 


Thoma.s  Beall,  George  Dent,  Andrew  Bruce,  David 
Lynn,  Kvim  Gwynn,  (lived  at  Everstine  place)  George 
Lovvdermilk,  Michael  Kersliner,  George  Calmes. 
Benjamin  Wiley,  Peter  D'Evecnion,  Dickeson  Sim- 
kins,  William  Hoye,  Charles  F.  Broadhag,  John 
Graham,  Charles  Clinton,  George  Iloflinan,  David 
Watkins,  James  McCoy,  Jacob  Lowry,  Jonathan 
Cox,  Th(mias  Stewart,  David  Hoffman,  John  S.  Hook. 
George  Payne,  Robert  Clark,  John  Lynn,  Jereniiali 
Wilson,  John  C.  Beatty,  George  Simmons,  James 
Slicer,  David  Harvey,  Eli  Williams  and  Jolni 
Mustard,  George  Blocher  and  Henry  Wincow. 

The  town  was  located  then  almost  entirely  on  tiie 
west  side  of  Will's  Creek,  and  nearly  all  the  houses 
were  built  along  the  old  Braddock  Road,  now  (Jreen 
street;  but  on  the  bluff  in  the  neigh))orhood  of  Wash- 
ington street  several  had  been  erected.  There  was 
also  a  large  log  house  at  the  "  Blue  Spring,"  which 
is  still  standing,  just  above  the  Cumberland  Hose 
Company's  house,  on  North  Mechanic  street,  and  one 
or  two  a  short  distance  further  up  the  road. 

The  first  white  child  l)orn  in  Cumberland,  after  its 
incorporation,  was  Frederick  Dent.  In  a  log  house 
(now  rough-coated,  and  known  as  the  "Dent  House." 
or  "Devecmon  House,"  on  Green  street,)  lived  Gcorgv 
Dent  and  wife.  To  them  in  October  or  November. 
of  1787,  was  born  a  son,  who  was  christened  Frederick. 
This  son  moved  to  Pittsburgh  while  a  young  man. 
and  in  1817  removed  to  Missouri.  He  was  the  father 
of  the  wife  of  General  U.  S,  Grant,  the  commander- 
in-chief  of  the  national  armies  in  the  late  war,  and 
late  President  of  the  United  States.     Mr.   Dent  died 


17S7.]     SKTTLERS  AVEST   OF    FORT    CIJMRERLAND. 


263 


ill  Washington  city,  at  the  White  House,  in  1870, 
witliin  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  of  the  place  of 
liis  birth,  at  the  ripe  age  of  89.'''- 

By  an  act  of  the  Legislature,  in  1777,  it  had  heen 
ordered  that  a  bjunty  of  fifty  acres  of  land  should  be 
iiiveii  to  each  able-bodied  recruit  who  should  enlist 
and  serve  in  the  American  army  for  a  period  of 
three  years;  and  that  a  bounty  of  one  hundred  acres 
of  land  should  be  given  to  each  recruiting  ofiicer  who 
should  enlist  twenty  able-bodied  recruits.  An  addi- 
tional act  was  passed,  in  1781,  directing  that  these 
lands  should  be  chosen  from  the  territory  of  the 
State  lying  westward  of  Fort  Cumberland.  In  1787 
the  Governor  and  Council,  by  authority  of  the  Legis- 
hiture.  appointed  Francis  Deakins  to  survey  these 
lands  and  make  a  return  of  a  general  plot  of  the 
coimty  westward  of  Fort  Cumberland.  Mr.  Deakins 
performed  this  duty,  showing  that  4,165  lots  of  fifty 
acres  each  had  been  laid  off,  he  being  careful  to 
indicate  those  lots  which  were  already  occupied  and 
improved  by  settlers,  they  being  conditionally  secured 
to  the  persons  settled  thereon.  This  return  showed 
that  three  hundred  and  twenty-three  families  were 
settled  on  six  hundred  and  thirty-six  of  the  aforesaid 
lots,  which  they  had  improved  and  cultivated. 

These  settlers  were  authori'/ed,  by  an  act  of  1788, 
to  })urchase  their  lots,  and  were  given  preference 
thereto,  at  a  price  not  less  than  five,  and  not  to 
exceed  twenty,  shillings  per  acre,  the  payments  to 
h'  made    in    three   equal   instalments,  the     whole 


I    ! 


1. 


*Mr.  Frederick  Dent  etupped  to  dine  in  Cumberland,  while  en  route  to  the  West  in  1872,  and  in 
'  ^rif f  cnnvprfntion  with  the  writer  remarkod  with  Home  pride  that  he  was  the  flret  white  ohild 
"I"  111  t"umli«rlond. 


204 


HISTORY  OF    CUMIJERLANI). 


[1787. 


amount  ti)  be  paid  in  three  years.  Variou.s  acts  wert- 
afterwards  passed  by  the  Legishiture  to  secure  to 
each  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  Mary  hind  the  lots 
to  which  they  were  entitled  for  their  military  services. 
The  following  is  a  list  of  the  settlers  then  located 
upon  the  lands  lying  in  Maryland  w^est  of  Fort 
Cumberland : 


William  Ashbj, 
Anthony  Able, 
George  Anderson, 
Patrick  Burnes, 
Charles  Boyles, 
Thomas  Baker, 
Philip  Bray, 
Mallner  Burnstredder, 
John  Beall, 
John  Blair, 
John  Brendage, 
Peter  Bonham, 
Norman  Bruce, 
Daniel  Cresap,  Sr.. 
Daniel  Cresap,  Jr.. 
Robert  Cresap, 
James  Cresap, 
Joseph  Cresap, 
John   Durfin, 
Aaron  Duckworth, 
Nicholas  Durbin, 
William  Durham, 
John  Domer, 
Joseph  Davis, 
Steven  Davis, 
Levi  Davis, 
Samuel  Dawson,  Sr., 
Samuel  Elliott, 
Adam  Eckart, 
John  Ervin, 
Herman  Frazee, 
Joseph  Frost, 
George  Fezenbaker, 
Briant  Gaines, 
Edward  Grimes, 
Paul  Grim, 
John  Great, 
Benjamin  Green, 
Samuel  Humphreys, 
Edward  Huston, 
James  Henderson, 
John  House, 


Ralph  Adams, 
John  Arnold  of  A., 
John  Arnold  of  Jno., 
Andrew  .'iruce. 
William  Barnes, 
Michael  Beem, 
Benjamin  Brady, 
John  Buhman, 
Ben.  John  Biggs, 
Frederick  Bray, 
Thomas  Barkus, 
George  Barkus, 
Samuel  Barrell, 
William  Coddington, 
Peter  Crawl, 
Thomas  Cordray, 
Henry  Crosley, 
John  Cruise, 
Samuel  Dawson,  Jr., 
William  Dawson,  Sr., 
William  Dawson,  Jr., 
Edward  Dawson,  Sr., 
Edward  Dawson,  Jr., 
Thomas  Dawson, 
Joseph  Dye 
Barney  Dewitt, 
Terrance  Dyal, 
John  Elbin, 
Samuel  Ellison, 
John  Eckhart, 
John  Firman, 
John  Friend, 
Gabriel  Friend, 
Richard  Green, 
Daniel  Green, 
Thomas  Green  wade, 
Salathiel  Goff, 
John  T.  Gnff, 
Andrew  House, 
Elisha  Hall, 
•John  Harshan, 
Moses  Hall, 


Anthony  Arnold, 
Moses  Ayers,  Sr., 
Moses  Ayers,  Jr.. 
Robert  Boyd, 
Matthew  Ball, 
Frederick  Burgett, 
Josiah  Bonham, 
Micajah  Burnham, 
Amariah  Bonhaiu, 
John  Brufly, 
John  Buckholder. 
Jacob  Beall, 
Nathan  Corey, 
Godfrey  Corbus, 
Edmund  Cutler. 
Ely  Clark, 
Michael  Corn, 
Benjamin  Coddington, 
Samuel  Durbiu, 
James  Denison, 
Peter  Doogan, 
Samuel  Durbin, 
Edward  Davis, 
Jacob  Duttro,  Sr., 
Jacob  Duttro,  Jr., 
Peter  DeVecraon, 
David  Eaton, 
George  Eckhart, 
Charles  Friend, 
Hezekiah  Frazier, 
Joseph  Friend, 
Harry  BVanks, 
George  Fiddler, 
James  C.  Golf, 
Evan  Guynn, 
John  Glasman, 
John  Garey, 
John  (Haze, 
Nicholas  HoLsbury. 
Charles  Huddv, 
Richard  Hall,' 
George  Harness, 


1787.]     SKTTLERS  WF^T   ni.^    ,,  . 

^^EST   Of    poKT   CUAfliKRLAND.  265 

fieorpp  Hrtvor  .  , 


'"'eor^e  Havur, 
H'illiam  Howell, 
I'aiil  llnyc, 
Hobert  Johnson. 
Kvaii  .lanics 
Cotirud  Joleman, 
•fohn  Keyser, 
Ueiirj  Kite, 

.'oil"  L)w<Jeriiiilk. 
\Viiliam  Lo^rsden, 
I'aniel  Levit, 
•'acob  Lower, 
Koseaiond  Loner, 
■'oseph  Lee, 
.'Stephen  Masters, 
•iabrioi  MeKin.sy, 
■'"li"  Matthew,  Sr.. 
■'"li"  Mn/romery, 
Christopher  Mvers 
•'ampsMcMnllen,' 
Xatlianiel  Ma/jruder, 
'losiah  Marrrudep, 
.SamuclMcKiiisv,' 
''•'ler  iViinirck, 
(ienr<j(;  J>ai„e, 
Henrv  I'ortcr. 
Moses  Porter, 
[jeor<je  Preston. 
Henry  Peters, 
•'ohii  Piir/riison, 
I'cterPolin^r, 
S'epben  Pie^rson 
jiodfrev  Kiehards. 
f '"'am  K-'deford, 
•'olin  Richards 
•/o*in  Rubash,  ' 
'«"'>!  Iteeknor. 
•  o'ln  Simpk.'ns. 
•'"eob  Storm. 
(j^orse  Sapp. 
•'olin  Steyer 

;'"'"i  Trotter, 

,'"'■'1  Tro.vel|. 

/'t'--  Titlle,  .Sr 

-*''-'ol  Totten,"' 

""'^^  Utter,  Sr., 
'"^■sL-tter,  .Jr 
7"  V«nbuskirk 


'"''"''y^o^r.uT.j^^ 


A'lam  {fieksenI,aM.rh 
"enjam,,,  FIu||,      " 

fiejiard  irarcourt. 
"  illiam  ./ones, 
•'olin  Jonas, 
JV'illiani  Jacobs, 
Jacob  Ivoontz, 
Wenrv  Kemp, 
('eorffc  I.aporte, 
vvilmn.  Lo^raden. 
«»Iph  Loirsden, 
'^'iHha  /.ogsden, 
John  Lvnn, 
/^Hchariah  Linton, 
"cnry  A[attin<r|y. 
Ic^nry  Myers.    ^ 
I '"lip  Michael, 
Moses  Mnnro, 
'Solomon  Mnnro, 
•'oHiah  McKinsy, 
John  Metz, 
.'^an.es  McPipe. 

'homas  Matthew. 
John  Neff. 

•/ohannes  P,ui.rh 
"ohert  Parker' 
I'abriel  Powell' 
Nicholas  Pitfi,u,(., 
{{enry  I'ittinpe, 
Htzekiah  Pound, 
Martin  Poli„,,,  y^ 
John  Price,  ' 

•/ohn  Hvan] 
John  Riioads, 
John  Ratton, 
favid  Robertson, 
Adam  Rhoades, 
i;eter  Stuck, 
JVilliamShaw. 
•'oseph  Scott, 
'Sitnon  Speed 
Matthew  Snooke, 
John  Seyltr, 
^^  illiam  SUifTfr, 
Jame.s  Schimer, 
f  eter  Tittle,  Jr.. 
Michael  Tedrick, 
Jesse  Tom linson. 
John  Trimble, 
VV  >lliam  Utter, 

ihomas  Umbertson, 
David  Vansickle, 
Wilham  Wells, 


•Sa-i'i.el  Hatton, 
Abraham  Hjte 
Jacob  Hazlewood. 
'Samuel  Jackson. 
♦V^ilbam  Jone.s, 
Jacob  Krp^jer, 
John  Kelly, 
Leonard  Kimble, 
"avid  (,ee, 
John  Liptz, 
'Breton  J.evit, 
Jacob  Lee, 
James  Montain, 
Vvilliam  xMoore* 
John  Matthews,  Jr 
Jacob  Miller, 
Alexander  Afoore, 
Daniel  Moore, 
Moses  McKin.sy, 
Daniel  McKinsy, 
Conrad  Millen, 
I'^lias  Majors, 
John  iVepton, 
«;!nH'el  Postlewait, 
Michael  Paugh, 
Margaret  Polin.r. 
John  i>orter,      " 
'"iaiiiuel  i'oling, 
Martin  J'olin-r 
Richard  Poling, 
Charles  Queen." 
benjamin  Rush, 
iinoch  Jiead 
Roffer  J{<,bertson, 
Aaron  Rice, 
Michael  Rawav 
JohnRagan,   '' 
John  Streets, 
Moses  Spicer, 
Abel  Serjeant, 
Adam  Seigler, 
Jaccb  Seigler' 

Joshua  Scuteh'field, 
John  Siblev,  ' 

^Vederick  thaxter, 

Jol".  Tomlinson,    ' 

Jacob  Trullinffer 

Moses  Tilsonel, 

Richard  Tilton, 
Charles  Uhl, 
John  Vincent 
Henry  Woodger 
John  Workman,' 


„   .       — — — '■'  ""rKman. 


2CA\ 


HISTORY    OF    CUMBKULAND. 


[1788. 


Arclulmid  While. 
Arthur  Watson, 
.Ft'Hst!  W (liter, 
John  Wikoir, 
Alexander  Wilhe)in, 
(jleorire  Wilhelm. 
IVter  Wikoff, 
Jacob  WikofT, 


James  Wells, 
I'eter  Wells. 
Samuel  WikolV, 
(leorfje  Winters, 
•lames  Wnoilrinfrer. 
Al|)heus  Wi^wire, 
(ieor<j;e  Waddle, 
Isaac  Workman, 


Andrew  Workmini. 
.laeol)  Workman, 
Ste|dien   Workman, 
Thomas  Williams, 
Joseph  Wartiiek, 
John   Whitemnn, 
William   Workman. 


The  act  of  1788  provided  that  throe  commissioners 
be  iippointed  to  fix  the  value  of  the  hinds  oceupid 
by  the  aforej^oing  persons,  and  to  settle  all  dis])utos 
that  might  arise  concerning  pre-emption. 

The  commissioners  appointed  were  David  Lynn. 
Daniel  Cresaj),  and  Benjamin  Brookes,  In  making 
the  surveys  Mr.  Deakins  had  ten  assistant  surveyors, 
they  being  Henry  Kemp,  Daniel  Cresap,  Lawrence 
Bringle,  lienjamin  Price,  John  Tomlinson,  Jonas 
Hoginire,  Thomas  Orm,  John  Hooker,  John  Lynn. 
and  William  Hoye,  and  they  were  paid  for  their 
services  ten  shillings  current  money  j)er  day.  The 
distribution  of  the  lots  to  officers  was  made  by  lottery. 
each  ticket  designating  four  lots  contiguous  to  etu;h 
other,  or  as  nearly  so  as  possible. 

Dr.  Jos  M.  Toner,  of  Washington  City,  furnishes 
the  following  extract  from  The  Columbian  Magazine, 
for  April,  1788,  page  216,  showing  that  the  brave 
deeds  of  the  soldiers  in  the  expedition  against  the 
French  were  highly  esteemed.  The  final  sentence 
contained  in  the  extract,  to  be  sure,  somewhat  tinges 
the  obituary  with  the  ridiculous,  but  it  was  doubtless 
quite  gratifying  to  the  returned  heroes  to  he  able  to 
read  this  testimonial  to  their  courage: 

To  the  Editor  of  the  Colmnhian  Magazine  ■ 

Sir:  The  followin^f  is  an  extract  from  the  journal  of  an  otficprmi 
(lencrfll  Forbes's  expedition  ajjfainst  Fort  Duquesne  (now  Fort  Pitt)  in 
the  year  1 758  : 


mj.] 


ALLKGANY   dOUNTV    KKK('TKI). 


207 


ISSIOIUTS 


"  About  one  hundred  yards  (rom  Fort  CiinihcrlHud,  is  h  large  Htjaare 
iHist  with  a  pyrainiilical  toji,  liiivin<r  a  plate  of  leatJ,  with  the  followinjf 
iniicri|itioii  nailed  on  one  side  of  it,  viz  : 

TO  THK  MEMORY  OK 
8ERGEANT  WILLIAM  SILAW,  SEIUiEANT  TIMOTHY 
SHAW,  JEREMIAH  POOR,  AND  JAMES  COPE,  SOL- 
DIERS  OF    THE    1st  VIRGINIA  REGIMENT;    THIS 
MONUMENT  IS  ERECTED,  TO  TESTIFY  THE  LOVE 
AND  ESTEEM  PAID  THEM  BY  THEIR 
OFFICERS  FOR  THEIR 
COURAGE  AND  GALLANT  REHAVIOUR. 
NOV.  1751).      TUEY    WENT    WITH    U    CATAUAS  TO 
GAIN    INTELLIGENCE;    AND    IN   THE    FIRST  EN- 
COUNTER   WITH   THE    ENEMY    MET   WITH    THE 
SUCCESS  THEIR  COURAGE    DESERVED-INCITED 
BY  THIS  ADVANTAGE,  AND  FIRED  WITH  NOBLE 
AMBITION  TO  DISTINGUISH  THEMSELVES,  THEY 
ENGAGED  A  PARTY   OF  THE    ENEMY,  HARD   BY 
FORT  DUQUESNE,  AND  FELL  GLORIOUSLY,  FIGHT- 
ING BRAVELY,  BEING  GREATLY  OVERPOWERED 
BY  SUPERIOR  NUMBERS. 
"IN  PRKMIUM  VIRTUTIS  KttlQENDUM  CURAVIT. 

ADAMUS  STEPHEN."* 

Risiiiii  teneatus! — Some  of  these  men,  afterwards  returned,  and  are 
now  otliters  in  the  Virginia  service.  B.      ;" 

At  the  session  of  the  Legislature  of  1789,  a  petition 
was  presented  asking  for  the  erection  of  a  new 
county,  and  the  following  act  was  passed  on  the  25th 
of  December,  in  that  year: 

An  Act  for  the  Division  of  Washin^'ton  county,  and  for  erectinjf  a  new 
one  by  the  name  of  AUefrany : 
Whereas,  .\  luunb'^r  of  the  inhabitants  of  Washington  county,  by 
'heir  petition  to  the  General  Assembly,  have  prayed  that  an  act  may  pass 
iura  division  of  said  county  by  Sideling  Hill  Creek,  and  for  erecting  a 
"ew  one  out  of  the  Western  part  thereof;  and  it  appearing  to  this  (Jeneral 
Assembly  that  the  erecting  such  a  new  county  will  conduce  greatly  to 

'Colonel  Stephen  was  st  the  time  in  command  of  a  portion  of  the  Virginia  troopa. 


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268 


HISTORY  OF    CUMBERLAND. 


[1789. 


the  due  Hdininistration  of  justice,  and  the  speedy  settling  and  improvin? 
the  western  purt  thereof,  and  the  ease  and  convenience  of  tlie  inhabitants 
thereof, 

II.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  General  Assenobly  of  Maryland,  That  all 
that  part  of  Washington  county  which  lies  to  the  westward  of  Sideling 
Hill  Creek,  shall  be  and  is  hereby  erected  into  a  new  county,  by  the  name 
of  Allegany  county,  and  the  inhabitants  thereof  shall  have,  hold  ami 
enjoy,  all  such  rights  and  privileges  as  are  held  and  enjoyed  by  the 
inhabitants  of  any  other  county  in  this  State. 

III.  And  be  it  ena<;ted.  That  the  county  court  and  orphans'  court  for 
Allegany  county  shall  be  held  at  the  town  of  Cumberland,  until  the 
voters  of  said  county,  by  election  to  be  held  as  hereinafter  provided,  shall 
determine  on  some  other  place ;  and  until  a  place  shall  be  fixed  on  by  the 
said  election,  and  a  court  house  shall  be  built,  the  justices  of  said  county 
may  contract  and  agree  at  the  county  charge  for  a  convenient  place  in 
the  said  town  to  hold  their  courts,  and  for  a  convenient  place  in  the  said 
town  for  the  keeping  of  their  books,  papers  and  records. 

IV.  And  be  it  enacted,  That  all  causes,  pleas,  processes  and  plead- 
ings, which  now  are,  or  shall  be  depending  in  Washington  county  court 
before  the  first  Monday  in  December,  1790,  shall  and  may  be  prosecuted 
as  effectually  in  that  court  as  if  this  act  had  not  been  made,  and  in  case 
any  deeds  or  conveyances  of  land  in  that  part  of  Washington  county  now 
called  Allegany  county,  have  been,  or  shall  be  before  the  first  Mondiiv 
in  December,  1790,  acknowledged  according  to  law,  the  enrollment  or 
recording  thereof  in  either  of  the  said  counties,  within  the  time  limited 
by  law  shall  be  good  and  available. 

V.  And  be  it  enacted.  That  the  county  charge  of  Washington  county 
heretofore  assessed  shall  be  collected  and  applied  as  if  this  act  had  not 
been  made. 

VI.  And  be  it  enacted,  That  the  County  Court  and  Orphans'  Court 
of  Allegany  County  shall  first  be  held  on  the  first  Monday  in  April,  1791, 
and  the  said  County  Court  be  afterwards  held  on  the  first  Mondaj  in  the 
months  of  April  and  September  yearly,  and  the  said  Orphans'  Court 
shall  be  afterwards  held  on  the  second  Monday  in  the  months  of  June, 
August,  October  and  December,  and  the  same  Courts  shall  have  the  same 
powers  and  jurisdiction  respectively  us  other  County  and  Orphans 
Courts  within  this  State. 

VII.  And  be  it  enacted.  That  all  civil  causes  to  be  brought  in  Alle 
gany  County  shall  be  determined  within  two  Courts  from  the  appearance 
court,  and  none  shall  continue  longer,  unless  under  such  circunistanceF 
as  Civii  causes  in  other  County  Courts  may  be  continued  longer  than 
three  courts  from  the  appearance  court. 


1791.] 


THE    FIRST   COURT. 


269 


lans'  Court 

^pril,  1791. 

daj  in  the 

ans'  Court 

s  of  June, 

e  the  same 

Orphans' 

la  in  Alle- 
ippearance 
;u  111  stances; 
oii''er  than 


VIII.  And  be  it  enacted,  That  the  Governor  and  Council  be  author- 
ized and  required  to  commission  fit  and  proper  persons  in  the  said 
county  to  act  as  Justices  of  the  Peace,  and  fit  and  proper  persons  as 
justices  of  the  Orphans' Court,  as  also  Surveyor  and  other  officers,  and 
that  a  fit  and  proper  person  be  appointed  by  the  Governor  and  Council 
Sheriff  of  Allegany  County,  and  be  commissioned  and  qualified  in  the 
usual  manner,  to  continue  in  office  until  a  new  appointment  shall  take 
place  in  the  other  counties  of  this  State,  under  an  election  according  to 
the  constitution  and  form  of  government. 

IX.  And  be  it  enacted,  That  at  the  first  election  to  be  held  in  the  said 
county  for  a  Sheriff",  the  voters  of  said  county  shall  and  may,  by  a 
majority  of  votes  determine  the  place  at  wliicli  the  courts  of  the  said  county 
shall  be  held  after  the  said  election. 

In  December  of  1790,  an  act  was  passed  appoint- 
ing Andrew  Bruce,  Evan  Gwynn  and  Josejih  Cresap 
Commissioners  of  the  Tax  for  Allegany  County,  and 
requiring  the  Tax  Commissioner  of  Washington 
County  to  transmit  to  them  an  account  of  all  the  real 
and  personal  property  in  the  new  county. 

The  first  Court  held  in  Allegany  County  was 
convened  on  the  4th  Monday  and  25th  da  v  of  April, 
1791.  There  being  no  Court  House  the  session  was 
held  at  the  house  of  John  Graham,  in  Cumberland. 
Upon  the  opening  of  the  Court,  Andrew  Bruce 
produced  his  commission  as  Associate  Justice,  and 
was  sworn  in  and  took  his  seat  upon  the  Bench. 
John  Beatty  was  appointed  Sheriff,  and  John  Lynn 
Clerk  of  the  Court.  On  the  27th  of  April  Richard 
Potts  appeared  in  Court  and  presented  his  commis- 
sion as  Chief  Justice  of  the  County  Courts  in  the 
Fifth  Judicial  District.  John  Simkins  also  presented 
his  commission  as  Associate  Justice,  and  took  the 
oath  of  office.  Jeremiah  Willison  was  appointed 
Crier,  and  the  following  attorneys  admitted  as  mem- 
bers of  the  Bar : — George  Magruder,  Samuel  Selby, 


270 


HISTOKY   OF    CUMHKRI.AND. 


[1787. 


John  Johnson,  Lenox    Martin  and  William   Claj: 

each  of  whom  paid  a  license  of  £3  for  the  privilojic 
of  practicing. 

Lenox  Martin  presented  his  appointment,  from  tlic 
Attorney-General,  as  Prosecutor  for  the  State  in  this 
Court,  after  which  the  business  of  the  Court  was 
proceeded  with.  The  session  commenced  on  ihe 
25th  of  April,  and  closed  on  the  29th,  embracing  five 
days. 

In  laying  off  the  town  the  ground  now  occupied 
by  the  county  buildings,  comprising  four  lots,  was  set 
apart  for  that  especial  purpose  by  the  proprietor  of 
the  town,  Thomas  Beall  of  Samuel,  and  in  1793,  bv 
an  act  of  the  Assembly.  Thomas  Beall,  John  Lynn. 
William  McMahon,  George  Dent  and  Benjamin 
Tomlinson  were  appointed  commissioners  to  contract 
and  agree  for  the  building  of  a  Court  House  and  Jail. 
and  to  prepare  the  plans  and  superintend  the  con- 
struction thereof.  The  Justices  of  the  Levy  Court 
were  required  to  levy  the  sum  of  six  hundred  pounds 
current  money  to  pay  for  the  same;  £200  to  be  levied 
in  1794;  £200  in  1795,  and  the  remainder  in  1796. 
In  compliance  with  this  act  a  building  was  erected 
on  the  lot  adjoining  that  now  occupied  by  the 
Allegany  County  Academy,  on  the  north  side  of 
Washington  street,  the  basement  of  which  was  of 
stone,  and  the  upper  story  of  brick.  The  basement 
was  used  as  a  Jail,  and  the  upper  portion  as  a  (^ourt 
room. 

At  the  session  of  the  Justices  of  the  Levy  Court, 
held  in  1794,  the  sum  of  £200  was  levied,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  law,  towards  paying  for  the  erection  ol 


1700.] 


BRIDGES   OVER   WILLS    CREEK. 


271 


the  Court  House  and  Jail.  In  1795  a  further  sum  of 
£200  was  levied.  In  1796  the  sum  of  £100  was 
levied  to  pay  for  work  on  the  Court  House,  and 
£37  10s  for  the  completion  of  the  Jail.  In  1799  a 
final  levy  of  £76  was  made  for  the  completion  of  the 
Court  House,  making  a  total  expenditure  for  the 
work  of  £012  10s. 

Ill  1790  there   was  a  small   wooden  bridge  over 
Will's   Creek,   very   near   the    site    of  the    present 
Baltimore  street  bridge,  and  in  1791  the  Levy  Court 
of  the   County  appropriated    to   Thomas    Beall   of 
Samuel,  and  Alpheus  Beall,  the  sum  of  £20,  to  be 
expended  in  repairing  the  bridge.     In  1792  a  further 
8um  of  £20  was  appropriated  for  a  similar  purpose, 
to  be  expended    under   the   direction   of    William 
McMahon  and  Joseph  Kelly.     In  1795  David  Hof**^ 
man,  John  Grah.am,  and  P.  Murdoch  were  appointed 
Commissioners  to  superintend  the  building  of  a  bridge 
over  Will's  Creek,  for  which  purpose  £30  was  appro- 
priated from  the  County  Treasury.     These  Commis- 
sioners entered  into  a  contract  with  William  Logsden 
on  the  29th  of  April,  1796,  the  conditions  of  which 
were  that  Logsden  was  to  rebuild  the  bridge  over  the 
Creek,  and  to  have  it  completed  and  readj'  for  use 
by  the  1st  day  of  September  following.     It  was  to 
have  good  and  sufficient  abutments,  to  be  five  feet 
higher  than  the   former  bridge   was;  to  be  sixteen 
tieet  wide,  and   furnished   with  a  railing  three  feet 
high;   the   contractor   to    maintain    the    bridge   for 
!*even  years,  and  rebuild  it  if  carried  away  by  freshets, 
t'xcept  in  case  the  water  should  become  so  high  as  to 
float  the  structure  and  carry  it  off.     The  sureties 


272 


HISTORY   OF    CUMBERLAND. 


[17'JI. 


of  the  contractor  were  John  and  Ralph  Logsden 
The  work  was  completed  in  the  time  specified,  hi 
1799  the  sum  of  £20  12s  U]d  was  levied  to  pay  for 
some  improvements  made  upon  the  bridge,  and  to 
pay  the  balance  due  on  account  of  its  construction. 
This  bridge  stood  until  1810. 

The  value  of  the  taxable  property  in  Allegan v 
County,  in  1791,  was  fixed  at  £78,978  Is  lid;  the 
tax  levied  was  7s  od  on  each  £100.  In  addition  to 
the  funds  raided  by  taxation  considerable  sums  were 
secured  by  the  rigid  enforcement  of  the  laws  imposing 
fines  for  drunkenness,  profane  swearing,  and  failure 
to  work  on  the  roads.  In  some  instances  the 
violations  of  these  laws  were  quite  numerous,  and  the 
penalties  incurred  were  various,  ranging  from  5d  for 
'•one  profane  curse"  to  £1  12s  Od  for  "profane 
swearing"  and  £2  7s  Od  for  "drunkenness  and  Sabbath 
breaking." 

Liberal  rewards  were  paid  by  the  county  authorities 
for  the  destruction  of  wolves,  the  premium  for  an  old 
wolf's  scalp  being  £5,  and  for  a  young  wolf  £1. 

The  Judges  of  the  Orphans'  Court  in  1791  were 
James  Prather,  Daniel  Cresap,  and  John  H.  Bayard. 

The  Justices  of  the  Levy  Court  were: — Daniel 
Cresap,  Thomas  Beall  of  Samuel,  Samuel  Barrett. 
James  Prather  and  John  H.  Bayard. 

In  1792  the  Justices  of  the  Levy  Court  were:— 
John  Orm,  Samuel  Barrett,  James  Prather,  Gabriel 
Jacob,  John  H.  Bayard  and  John  Reed. 

In  1794  Cumberland  again  became  the  scene  ol 
warlike  preparations,  and  again  an  army  was  assem- 
bled on  the  historic  ground  about  the  old  Fort,  but 


1794.] 


THE    WHISKY    INSUHKKCTION. 


278 


now  tlio  stars  and  stripes  of  the   young   Republic 
waved  in  the  place  once  occupied  by  the  old  English 
ensign.     The  enactment  of  laws,  by  Congress,  laying 
a  duty  upon  spirits  distilled  in  the  United  States,  and 
upon  stills,  caused  a  feeling  of  violent  opposition  to 
spring  up  in  the  Pennsylvania  counties  of  Alleghany, 
Washington,    Fayette    and     Westmoreland,    where 
considerable  quantities  of  whisky  were   made.     In 
Washington  County  the  opposition  was  most  bitter, 
and  in  a  little  while  the  officials  whose  duty  it  was 
to  enforce  the  requirements  of  the  law  became  sub- 
jected to  violence  and  insult.     Public  meetings  were 
held  by  the  malcontents,  and  resolutions  were  passed 
strongly  condemning  the  law  as  well  as  any  person 
who  might  attempt  to  enforce  it.     The  first  eftbrt 
to  impose    the   duties   levied    was  made   in    1791, 
and  in  September  of  that  year  Robert  Johnston,  a 
collector  of  the  revenue,  was  seized   at  a  place  on 
Pigeon  Creek,  in  Washington  County,  Pa.,  by  a  party 
of  men,  who  tarred  and  feathered  him,  cut  off  his 
hair,  and  otherwise   insulted  him.     The  leaders  in 
this  outrage  were  known,  but  no  officer  dared  arrest 
them.    Other   outrages   were   perpetrated,   and   for 
three  years  the  troubles  grew"  worse  and  worse,  the 
insurgents  sending  their  men  into  adjacent  Counties 
of  Virginia  and  Marvland  to  breed  disaffection.     In 
the  outset    men    of   influence    and    property    had 
encouraged  the  rebellion,  but  they  had  not  anticipated 
the  serious  results  which  followed.     On  the  7th  of 
August,  1794,  the   President  issued  a  proclamation 
atmouncing  his  intention   to   enforce   the    laws  by 

calling  out   the   militia,    and   he    called    upon    the 
35 


274 


HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND. 


[1794 


^^^^■<n 

•^ 

i 

Governors  of  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  M.^ryland 
and  Virginia  for  suflficient  militia  to  form  an  army  of 
15,000  men,  which  was  to  be  organized  and  })repare(l 
to  march  at  any  moment.  A  second  proclamation  was 
published  on  the  25th  of  September,  when  the  stub- 
born persistence  of  the  insurgents  rendered  further 
temporizing  impossible,  calling  the  troops  into  active 
service.  The  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania  soldiers 
were  ordered  to  assemble  at  Bedford,  and  those  of 
Maryland  and  Virginia  at  Cumberland.  Ciovernor 
Lee,  of  Virginia,  was  put  in  command  of  all  the 
troops,  and  the  Governors  of  New  Jersey  and  Penn- 
sylvania took  subordinate  commands. 

The  assembling  of  the  militia  from  Maryland  and 
Virginia  at  Cumberland,  crejited  great  excitement  in 
the  village.  Hoav  long  they  remained  here  is  not 
exactly  known,  but  on  the  18th  of  October,  1794. 
Washington  arrived,  and  spent  several  days  inspect- 
ing the  condition  of  the  men  and  their  supplies. 
On  the  19th  he  appeared  in  full  uniform,  and  held 
a  review,  on  the  old  parade  ground  of  Fort  Cumber- 
land, at  which  the  entire  population  of  the  town  was 
present.  This  was  the  last  occasion  upon  which  he 
wore  his  uniform. 

The  troops  had  been  encamped  along  Will's  Creek. 
on  what  was  known  as  the  "Island,"  where  tliev  had 
good  water  from  a  spring,  near  by.  On  the  19th  the 
command  was  marched  up  to  the  parade  ground,  and 
drawn  up  for  inspection.  General  Washington  rode 
along  the  line,  from  the  right  to  the  left,  and  was 
loudly  cheered  by  the  men.  Afterwards  the  com- 
mand marched  in  review,  and  Washington  raised  his 


171)5.] 


A    POST    OFFICE    ESTABLISHED. 


275 


hat  iis  a  salute,  while  they  passed.  Generals  Lee  and 
Morgan  were  both  present,  and  participated. 

Hon,  Alexander  R.  Boteler  has  in  his  possession 
an  oil  painting  representing  this  review.  It  was  the 
work  of  an  amateur  artist,  and  upon  its  completion 
passed  into  the  hands  of  General  Daniel  Morgan. 

The  army  marched  in  two  divisions,  from  Cumber- 
land and  Bedford.  The  insurrection  was  suppressed 
without  difficulty,  as  the  great  strength  shown  by 
the  government  overawed  the  disturbers,  and  General 
Morgan  was  left  with  a  detachment  of  troops  during 
the  winter,  in  the  disaffected  district,  as  a  safeguard 
against  further  trouble. 

The  necessity  existing  for  good  roads  was  greatly 
felt  at  this  time,  since  all  the  supplies  of  the  inhabit- 
ants were  brought  from  the  East,  and  a  great  part  of 
the  year  the  muddy  roads  and  steep  hills  made 
transportation  botli  slow  and  expensive.  On  frequent 
Dccasions  salt,  rope,  cloth,  iron,  &c.,  were  brought 
fruni  the  Eastern  towns  on  pack  horses,  a  cheaper 
and  more  expeditious  method  than  by  wagons.  The 
Legislature  passed  acts  for  improving  and  straighten- 
ing the  roads  from  Hancock  to  Cumberland,  from 
('umborland  to  Turkey-foot,  and  from  Cumberland 
to  Winding  Ridge. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1795,  Cumberland  was 
iiuide  a  Post-town,  and  by  order  of  the  Postmaster 
('oneral  a  post  office  was  established  therein,  and 
Charles  F.  Broadhag  appointed  Postmaster,  which 
position  he  held  until  July  1st,  1802. 

Tn  order  to  provide  facilities  for  the  purchase  and 
^ale  of  produce,  &c.,  in  the  town,  a  shed  was  erected 


276 


mSTORV   OF    CUMBERLAND. 


[1797. 


on  a  lot  of  ground  on  the  bank  of  the  Creek,  about 
Hixty  feet  south  ea«t  of  the  present  gas  works  property, 
and  in  December,  1795,  an  act  of  the  Legishxture  was 
passed  making  it  a  market  house  for  the  town,  and 
providing  that  from  and  after  the  first  day  of  May, 
1796,  Wednesday  and  Saturday  of  eacii  and  every 
week  should  be  held  and  considered  as  market  days, 
the  hours  to  be  from  any  time  in  the  morning  until 
9  o'clock  A.  M.  A  fine  of  fifteen  shillings  was  imposed 
upon  any  person  who  bought  or  sold  any  articles  of 
provision  at  any  place  other  than  the  market  house 
during  market  hours. 

In  1797  the  Justices  of  the  Orphans'  Court  were 
John  H.  Bayard,  Evan  Gwynn  and  A.  A  Browne. 
The  Associate  Justices  of  the  County  Court  were 
Patrick  Murdoch  and  Hanson  Briscoe.  Sherifl^ 
Robert  Sinclaire. 

The  Court  House  at  this  date  was  still  uncompleted, 
and  the  sessions  of  the  Court  were  held  at  the  tavern 
of  Abraham  Faw,  a  building  located  on  Green  street, 
west  of  Small  wood,  just  where  the  residence  of  the 
l.ate  William  Landwehr  now  stands.  For  the  use  of 
his  house  for  this  purpose,  in  1797,  Mr.  Faw  was 
paid  the  sum  of  £3,  as  also  4s  lOd  for  9  days'  use  of 
rooms  for  meetings  of  Tax  Commissioners,  and  Is  lOd 
for  three  days'  session  of  the  Levy  Court. 

It  is  thought  that  a  temporary  Jail  was  made  of 
an  old  log  house  of  very  limited  dimensions,  which 
stood  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  road,  a  short 
distance  west  of  the  tavern.  This  old  house  was  one 
of  the  structures  supposed  to  have  been  built  about 
1755,  and  used  as  a  guard  house.     It  had  no  windows. 


■)^^-A 


1707.]  HOTEL    KATES.  277 

iind  the  sinj^le  door  wjih  tliioklvstuddod  with  wrouijlit 
iron  nails. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Court,  in  1707,  Andrew 
McClery,  Robert  McClery,  John  McClery  and  Henry 
McCiery,  carpenters;  John  Wright,  weaver;  William 
Thistle,  farmer;  Thomas  Thistle,  student  at  law, 
natives  of  Ireland;  and  Christian  Deetz,  tailor,  a 
native  of  Germany,  were  naturalized,  and  fully 
invested  with  all  the  rights  of  American  citizenship. 

The  following.  Inn  Keepers'  Rates,  established  at 
the  April  Term  of  Court,  1798,  are  somewhat  in 
contrast  with  those  o^  the  present  day : 

S.        I). 

A  Hot  Dinner  for  a  Gentleman,  with  Beer  or  Cider 3 

A  Supper  or  Breakfast 2 

French  Brandy,  per  J  pint 1  10 

Peach  Brandy,  per  J  pint 1  3 

Lodging  in  clean  sheets 1  10 

tlitto  double   ditto 9 

Ditto  in  sheets  before  used 6 

Hay  per  nifrht  for  Horse 1  6 

Ditto  for  24  hours 2  6 

Madeira  and  Claret  Wine  per  quart 10 

Port,  Sherry  or  Lisbon  Wine 7  6 

Whisky  per  gill 5} 

Other  Wine  per  quart 5 

Corn  and  Oats,  per  quart 3 

Lodgings  for  Servants 6 

Cold  Dinner,  per  gentleman 1  lOJ 

Supper  and  Breakfast  per  servant 1  6 

Dinner  per   Servant 1  10 

The  town  grew  steadily,  and  in  1797  had  one 
hundred  dwellings  and  one  hundred  and  twenty 
families,  three  merchant  mills  and  three  church 
congregations,  German  Lutheran,  Methodist  and 
Honian   Catholic.     Amongst  the  persons  who  came 


!^78 


IIISTOIlY  OF    CUMBERLAND. 


[1798. 


here  to  live  fVoir  170<')  1  >  1800  wore  families  of  tin- 
following  llllm(^s: — Dow.iul,  Broii(llia<5,  Bridenlmrt. 
Beatty,  Bayanl.  Brown,  BriHCoe,  Beard,  Deetz,  Davis. 
Deems,  Erb  Entler.  Faw,  Fisher,  Gephart,  Graliani. 
lIugheH,  KornH,  Liehlider,  McMahon,  McCleary,  Ma- 
grnder,  Murdoch,  Moore,  Miller,  Milburn,  Morri.s. 
Osborn,  Perry,  Pigman,  Richards,  Russell,  Kizer. 
Rafters,  Shuck,  Smith,  Selby,  Stonesifer,  Sinclair. 
Thistle,  Wineow,  Wright. 

Benjamin  Tinnlinson  was  amongst  the  earliest 
settlers  in  the  county,  and  in  1781)  he  built  the  hoii8o 
on  Will's  Creek,  some  five  miles  from  Cumbcrlaiid. 
now  occupied  by  Mrs.  Alexander  King,  a  grand- 
daughter. 

The  militia  law  in  existence  at  this  date  caused 
the  citizens  of  Allegany  county  much  annoyance,  as 
they  were  compelled  to  travel  long  distances,  citlici 
on  horseback  or  on  loot,  to  attend  the  drills  providetl 
for  by  law.  Consequently  they  caused  a  statement 
to  be  made  to  the  Legislature  setting  forth  their 
grievances,  and  that  body  in  1798  passed  an  act 
authorizing  the  field  officers  having  command  of  tiu' 
militia  of  Allegany  county  to  appoint  certain  days 
for  drill  each  year,  at  such  place  in  the  county  as  they 
might  direct. 

The  subject  of  Roads  attracted  considerable  atten- 
tion again  in  1798,  and  in  order  to  improve  the 
condition  of  the  road  from  Cumberland  to  Sidelin;: 
Hill  a  liberal  appropriation  was  made.  A  further 
sum  of  £56  5s  was  levied  in  1802  for  this  purpose. 
In  January,  1799,  an  act  of  the  Legislature  was 
secured  for  the  opening  of  a  road  from  ''MartinV 


1799.] 


ALLEGANY   COUNTY    SCHOOL. 


270 


Ford,  on  the  North  Branch  of  the  Potovvniaok,  to 
iiitorwct  the  main  road  heading  from  the  mouth  of 
(ii'orfie's  Creek  to  the  town  of  Cumberland,"  and 
Josepli  Cresap,  Thomas  Dawson  of  William,  and 
Kl)onezer  Davis  were  apj)()inted  Commissioners  for 
the  purpose  of  layin<^  off  this  road  in  the  most  direct 
and  convenient  way;  it  was  to  be  kept  in  order  by 
till'  persons  living  on  the  tracts  of  land  known  as 
•'The  Cove,"  "Long  Bottom,"  and  "Lot  No.  :J58L" 
Tlie  first  ellort  towards  advancing  the  cause  of 
e(hication  in  Allegany  county  was  made  in  1791). 
On  the  I5th  of  January,  ii^.  that  year,  an  act  was 
pas.sod  1)}'  the  Legislature  entitled  "An  act  to  incor- 
porate a  school  in  Allegany  County,  by  the  name  of 
Allegany  County  School,  tlie  [)urj)oses  of  which  are 
sliown  by  the  following  extract  from  the  law,  viz: 

"  WhereuH,  it  is  reiisonahle  Unit  nducation  should  be  extended  to 
the  several  parts  of  this  State,  and  that  there  should  bt;  a  public 
seiioni  in  Allegany  County,  thc^refort; : 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  (Jeneral  Assembly  of  Maryland,  That  in  order 
10  the  erecting  and  building  a  house  and  other  conveniences  for  a 
county  scbool,  the  persons  hereinafter  named  shall  have  power  to 
purchase  one  or  more  acres  of  land  in  or  adjoining  the  town  of 
Cumberland,  in  Allegany  county,  to  wit:  John  liynn,  Kvan  (irwynn, 
William  McMahon,  Joseph  Cresap,  David  Lynn,  Patrick  Murdoch, 
Hanaon  Briscoe,  John  B.  Beall  and  John  C.  Beatty,  who  shall  be  visitors 
ot  said  school ;  which  said  persons  so  nominated  visitors  for  Allegany 
county  school,  and  their  successors,  appointed  in  the  manner  hereinafter 
declared,  shall  and  are  hereby  declared  to  be  one  community,  corporation 
and  body  politic,  to  have  continuation  forever,  by  the  name  of  The  Visitors 
of  Allegany  County  School,  and  by  that  name  to  sue  and  be  sued,  implead 
or  be  impleaded,  and  to  make  and  have  a  common  seal,  and  the  same 
'0  break,  alter  or  renew,  when  and  so  often  as  they  shall  think  fit. 

Under  the  provisions  of  this  act  a  building  was 
t'l'octed  for  school  purposes  on  the  lot  now  occupied 
by  the  school  building  of  SS.  Peter  and  Paid's  Church. 


i 


280 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND.      [1790-1 800. 


German  Catholic.  Tlie  School  building  was  of 
brick,  one  story  in  height,  and  amongst  the  earh 
Principals  of  the  school  were  Professors  Pierce 
and  Benjamin  Brown.  The  Academy  was  placed  in 
charge  of  a  board  of  visitors,  who  were  given  power 
to  elect  their  own  successors,  and  the  organization  is 
maintained  to  this  day.  The  original  board  appointed 
b}"  the  act  of  179o,  consisted  of  John  Lynn,  Evan 
Gwynn,  William  McMahon,  Joseph  Cresap,  David 
Lynn,  Patrick  Murdoch,  Hanson  Briscoe^  John  B. 
Beall  and  John  C.  Beatty,  and  the  sum  of  $200  r  v 
year  was  granted  them  from  the  State  Treasury. 

The  lack  of  data,  either  written  or  printed,  renders 
it  extremely  difficult  to  procure  a  correct  list  of  the 
people  residing  here  at  a  date  so  early  as  1800. 
especially  since  there  are  few  persons  living,  old 
enough  to  remember  distinctly  such  matters. 

To  designate  the  houses  that  are  oldest  is  equally 
difficult.  Certainly  the  moot  venerable  of  them  was 
that  known  as  "Washington's  headquarters,"  which 
occupied  the  ground  on  which  Mr.  0.  C.  Gepliart's 

residence-  now  stands. 
and  Vfhich  is  well  re- 
membered by  hundreds 
of  citizens,  as  it  was  not 
removed  until  about  the 
vear  1844.  It  was  co- 
temporary  with  Fort 
WASHINGTON'S  HEADriCABTERs.  Cuuiberland,  aud  stood 

but  a  short  distance  from  the  parade  ground.  This  old 
house  was  occupied  at  one  time  by  Mrs.  Bridenhari. 
a  daughter  of  Michael  Kershner.  and  she  entertained 


1190-1800.] 


OLD   HOUSES. 


281 


several  students  there  as  hoarders  for  some  years. 
h  was  also  occupied  for  several  years  hy  David  Lynn 
as  a  residence,  afterwards  by  (Jeorge  Bruce,  and 
linally  by  John  Kane. 

In  1844  it  was  l)ought  by  George  Blocher,  who 
moved  it  to  a  lot  on  the  Bedford  road,  a  mile  distant, 
wliore  it  was  repaired  and  occupied  for  twenty-two 
vears  by  Jolui  Bak'  r.  It  still  stands,  on  the  ground 
of  Christian  Eichner,  a  -^hort  distance  from  Cumber- 
land. 

About  1784  George  Lowdermilk  built  a  frame 
liouse  some  fifty  yards  west  of  Washington's  head- 
quarters, and  occupied  it  for  twenty  years. 

The  -McMahun    House," — still   standing  on   the 

Southwest  corner  of  Snialhvood  and  Green  Streets — 

was  built  about  the  year  1792,  and  had  a  stoi-e-room 

mljoining.     The  back  building,  erected  several  years 

afterwards,  was  constructed   cf  brick,  and  was  the 

first  of  the    kind  in    the    town.     The    brick   were 

brought  up  the  river  in  a  keel  boat,  from  some  point 

l)elo\v.    The  mason  work  was  done  by  Henry  Wineow, 

who  was  then   the  only  brick  mason    in  the   place. 

Mr.  McMahon  was  a  gentleman  of  some  wealth,  and 

thoroughly   hospitable.      In    October,    1794,    while 

Washington  was  here  for  the  purpose  of  inspecting 

the  Western  Army,  on  the  occasion  of  the  Whiskey 

Insurrection,  he  was  the  guest  of  Mr.  McMahon,  and 

tlio  entire  population  of  the  town  called  there  to  pay 

their  respects  to  the  great  man.     This  old  house  is 

HOW  a  deserted  and  dilapidated  wreck,  but  deserves 

to  be  held  in  some  degree  of  veneration,  as  one  of  the 

few  rciiiaining  landmarks  of  those  early  days.     The 
36 


282 


HISTORY    OF   CUMRERLAM).      [179O-l,S00. 


lot  on  which  this  building  stood  is  marked  ''9"  on 
the  map.  In  this  house  John  V.  L.  iMcMahoii  \va« 
born,  a  man  of  great  intellect  and  scholarly  acquire- 
ments. 

On  the  north  side  of  (Ireen  street,  lot  No.  ol. 
Michael  Kershner  built  a  two-story  house,  with  a 
porch,  about  1790.  This  has  disappeared  altogether, 
unless  a  portion  of  the  plastered  house  standing  there 
may  be  a  remnant  of  it. 

A  short  distance  west  of  the  McMahon  house,  and 
about  where  Mrs.  W.  Landwehr  s  house  no'y  stands, 
was  built  a  twostory  log  tavern,  by  Abraham  Fuav. 
In  this  building  were  born  J.  Galloway  Lynn,  and 
afterwards  General  E.  O.  C.  ()rd,  of  the  United  State!* 
Army.  Previous  to  the  erection  of  a  Court  House. 
several  sessions  of  the  Grand  Jury  and  the  Court 
were  held  there,  and  this  tavern  became  the  general 
resort  of  most  of  the  persons  who  came  to  the  town. 

The  Devecmon  house,  on  (Jreen  street,  east  of 
Smallwood,  was  Ijuilt  about  1790,  by  George  Dent, 
who  was  the  surveyor  of  the  town.  This  house  is 
still  standing,  the  lower  story  being  now  several  feet 
below  the  street.  Mrs.  Dent  died  about  1807,  in  the 
house  of  Dickeson  Simkins,  on  north  Mechanic  street. 
corner  of  Valley  street. 

Probably  the  first  house  built  on  the  east  side  of  the 
Creek  was  that  erected  by  David  Hoffman,  a  little 
south  of  the  Blue  Spring,  on  north  Mechanic  street. 
It  was  constructed  of  logs,  and  was  about  40  x  2t 
ieet  in  size.  i 

The  log  house  on  north  Mechanic  street,  above 
the  "Blue  Spilug,"  was  built  about  1791,  by  an  old 


1790-1800.] 


OLD    HOUSES. 


28B 


hacliolor.  iiaincd  Wyatt.  It  wa:^  used  in  1809  by 
Siiimu'l  Smith,  as  a  htoro  liouse,  and  the  Post  office 
was  then  ivept  there,  Mr.  Smith  heing  the  Postmaster. 

The  log  house,  now  weatherboanled,  standing  on 
the  corner  of  north  Meohanie  street  and  Valley  street, 
was  built  })y  Dickeson  Simkins,  in  1700. 

About  the  same  time  the  house  on  north  Mechanic 
street.  No.  209,  next  below  Wegman's  store,  was 
built  by  Benjamin  Morris,  a  shoemaker,  and  brother- 
in-law  of  Simkins,  who  carried  on  his  business  there. 

The  log  house  next  to  J.  Wegman's  dwelling,  No. 
215  north  Mechanic  street,  was  built  at  the  same 
time  Ijy  John  Snowden  Hook,  a  farmer,  who  came 
liore  from  Washington  County,  and  purchased  a  con- 
siderable tract  of  land,  embracing  what  is  known  as 
'•  Hook's  Oravevard." 

Till'  house  occupied  by  the  late  Emanuel  Easter, 
No.  132  north  Mechanic  street,  was  built  about  1800, 
and  a  pottery  established  by  Jacob  Neff.  Mr.  Easter 
was  an  apprentice  with  Neft',  and  afterwards  carried 
on  tiie  business  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  at  an 
old  age,  in  1877. 

The  house  of  Mrs.  Charlotte  Wright,  No.  140 
north  Mechanic  street,  was  built  about  the  year 
1800,  and  Mrs.  Wright  has  now  i)een  living  there 
continuously  for  more  than  fifty  years. 

A  house,  supposed  to  have  Ijeen  built  by  Jonathan 
'ox,  stood  near  the  spot  now  occupied  by  Lewis 
Smitlf  s  tavern  on  north  Mechanic  street,  and  David 
iuid  Jonathan  ('ox,  tanners,  had  a  tannery  a  short 
ilistance  above  the  ground  now  occupied  by  Withers' 
tannorv.     Cox's  house  was  built  of  stone. 


284 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND.     [1790-1800. 


r 

: 

: 

George  Shuck,  who  came  here  about  1790,  from 
York,  Pa.,  lived  in  a  log  house,  where  Shipley's  tavern 
now  stands,  in  1800. 

Thomas  Beall,  of  Samuel,  built  a  house  on  Lihorty 
street,  a  short  distance  below  the  City  Hall,  on  the 
opposite  side.  The  date  of  its  erection  is  uncertain, 
but  is  supi30sed  to  have  been  about  1785.  It  h  still 
standing. 

A  log  house,  was  built  by  John  Miller  about  1794. 
on  the  lot  on  the  corner  of  Liberty  and  Bedford 
streets,  and  is  still  in  use,  immediately  opposite  the 
City  Hall,  and  is  known   as  the  "Snyder  property." 

George  Payne  had  a  liouse  in  1796,  on  the  Little 
Valley  Road,  near  "Payne's  Spring,"  which  was  on 
his  property. 

Several  other  old  buildings  are  still  in  existence, 
which  are  supposed  to  have  been  constructed  previous 
to  1800,  but  their  history  is  not  positively  known. 

The  effort  to  preserve  the  chronology  of  the  history 
of  the  town,  so  far  as  its  growth  is  concerned  becomes 
exceedingly  difficult  at  this  time,  since  there  were 
no  newspapers  in  existence,  and  the  memory  of  the 
old  inhabitants  utterly  fails  to  establish  dates  with 
an}^  degree  of  accuracy.  Consequently  the  events  of 
the  next  twenty  years  must  be  treated  as  best  they 
may  be  under  the  circumstances. 

It  has  been  heretofore  stated  that  in  1755  a  bridge 
was  built  across  Will's  Creek,  near  the  mouth  of  the 
stream.  This  was  carried  away  by  a  freshet,  and 
about  1790  a  wooden  bridge  was  built  where  the 
present  iron  bridge  stands.  The  new  structure  was 
built  upon  wooden  piers,  and  by  frequent  repairs  and 


90-1800. 

'90,  from 
^-''-s  tavern 

11  Liberty 
11,  on  the 
uncertain, 
It  is  still 

3utl794. 
Bedford 
osite  the 
roi>erty." 
tie  Little 
I  was  on 


xistence, 
previous 
■  known, 
e  history 
becomes 
ire  were 
J  of  the 
tes  with 
3vents  of 
•est  they 

a  bridge 
h  of  the 
hct.  ami 
lere  the 
ure  was 
lairs  aiif] 


MAP  OF 


m  1801 


imt 


%k 


v^y 


AP  OF  (■ND,  1806 


I 


'^mm 


ISOo.] 


SURVEY    OF    THE    TOWN. 


285 


mucli  |)iit('hin<^  was  kopt  in  serviceable  condition  until 
IMM,  when   it   was  damaged  by    high    water.     In 
Jamiarv,  1805,  the  Legislature  passed  an  act  author- 
izing Lipton  Bruce,  David   Iloftman,  senior,  Thomas 
Thistle,  George  IlolVman,  and  William  McMahon  to 
hold  a  lottery,  and  thereby  raise  a  sum  of  money  not 
to  exceed  $2,000  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  a  fire 
engine  for  the   town  of  Cumberland,  and  directing 
them  to  appropriate   the   balance  of  the  money  on 
hand,  after  making  such  purchase,  to  the  erection  of 
a  bridge  over  Will's   Creek.     Whether   the   lottery 
was  held  is  not  recorded,  but  certainly  another  bridge 
was  erecti'd,  and  this  was  in  turn  washed  away. by  a 
.rreat  freshet,    in   1810,    at  which   time  the   Creek 
rose  to  an   unprecedented   height,  entirely  flooding 
Mechanic  street.     After   the  bridge   was  destroyed, 
ill  1810,  a  ferry  was   established,  and    kept  in  use 
until  a  new  })ridge  was  erected.     The  ferry  consisted 
of  a  rope  stretched  across  the  Creek  at  the   foot  of 
Ikltiniore    street,   the    ends    being  lashed   to  large 
walnut  trees,  and  a  flat  boat  being  attached  to  a  ring 
which  was  made  to  slip  along  the  cable.     Another 
wooden  l)ii(lg:'  was  shortly  aftx^r  put  in  the  place 
•i'  the  one   destroyed,   and   this    stood  until    1820, 
when  a  suspension   chain    bridge    was    substituted 
therefor,  a  full  description  of  which  will  hereafter  be 
'iiven. 

The  survey  of  the  town,  as  made  in  1787,  having 
never  been  filed  in  the  office  of  the  Clerk  of  the 
Court  of  either  Washington  or  Allegany  County,  as 
i'0([nired  by  the  law  authorizing  the  survey,  the 
Legislature  passed  an  act  January  27,  1805,  reciting 


28(1 


HISTORY    OF    CUMBKHLAND. 


[isoi; 


that  ''  Whereas,  Thomas  Beall,  son  of  Samuel,  and 
other  persons,  did  lay  of!"  a  parcel  of  their  laud 
contijiuoiis  to  the  mouth  of  Will's  ('reek,  in  Allegany 
(Jountv,  into  lots,  a  jj:reat  part  of  which  have  since 
heen  purc^hased,  and  consideral)le  improvements  niadi' 
thereon,  and  there  heing  no  record  of  the  same,  the 
title  of  the  proprietors  thereof  .'ire  precarious  and 
uncertain;  and  it  appearing  right  and  proper  that 
commissioners  should  be  apjminted  to  lay  out  and 
erect  a  town  on  the  said  lands,  and  to  secure  the 
purchasers  of  lots  therein,  reserving  the  right  of 
the  proprietors  and  their  interests  in  said  lands," 
therefore.  Roger  Perry,  Evan  Gwynn,  Jonathan 
Cox,  George  Hoffman,  and  Upton  Bruce  were 
ai)})ointed  Conunissioners  to  have  an  accurate  sur- 
vey made,  and  an  exact  plot  thereof,  showing  the 
original  location  of  the  streets,  lanes,  lots,  &(•.,  filed 
in  the  office  of  the  Cerk  of  the  Court.  1'hey  were 
re([uired  to  have  the  lots  numbered  one,  two,  three. 
and  so  on,  and  these  numbers  were  to  be  given  at* 
they  were  in  the  origimil  location.  They  were 
authorized  to  summons  witnesses  tor  the  purpose  of 
securing  such  information  as  should  be  necessary  to 
ascertain  the  true  lines,  and  were  then  to  set  up 
boundary  stones  at  the  beginning  of  the  lots.  This 
act  contained  provisions  for  securing  purchasers  in 
their  rights,  and  repealed  the  act  of  1 « 86. 

In  1800  the  provisions  of  this  act  were  fully  carried 
out  by  the  Commissioners,  Mr.  George  Dent  havinj; 
been  employed  as  the  surveyor,  and  the  plat  made 
by  him  was  filed  in  the  Land  Records  of  AUeganv 
County,  an  exact  copy  of  which  is  here  given.     That 


180(1.] 


SUKVEV    OV    TllK    TOWN 


287 


portion  of  the  town  lying  on  tlio  east  and  north  side 
of  Will's  Creek  was  (Irst  laid  out  in  17!)8. 

The  (yonunissioners  in  inakin<i:  their  return,  sul)- 
mitted  the  t'oUowinj^'  remarks,  wliieh  were  liled 
together  with  the  map,  and  an  iicenrate  description 
(if  I'licli  lot : 

The  Town  of  Cuinberliind  had  grown  into   considerable   Hi/.e    before 

the  piissiige  of  the  law  authorizing  its   being  laid  out,  and  as  no  correct 

plat  had  been  preserved  of  its  ancient  location,  or  boundaries  set  up,  by 

which  it  could  be  ascertained  correctly,  the  Commissioners  for  the  want 

iif  some  guide  of  this  kind  met  with  considerable  ditliculty    in  assigning 

to  each  lot  its  due  and  proper  situation,  particularly  so,  on  the  east  side 

of  Will's  Creek,  where  the  lots  being  of  no  given  size,  and  the  streets 

crooked  and  irregular  one  lot   became  of  little  service  in  leading  to  the 

establishment  of  another;  the  conveyances  or  titles  by  which  many  of  the 

lots  were  held  were   very  imperfectly  drawn,   and  many  blunders  com- 

mittfid,  so  that  they  frecjuently  served  rather  to  add  to  our  perplexity  than 

liirnish  us  with  correct  information.     The  Commissioners,   nevertheless, 

trust  they  have  produced  as  perfect  a  return  as  could   be  desired  or  «;x- 

pected,  and  that  besides  the  advantage  of  every  man   knowing  how  and 

whereto  find  the  precise  situation  of  his  lot,  many  disputes  will  be  quieted 

from  the  having  a  settled  and   determined   record    to  refer  to.     Several 

additions  have  been  made   to   the   Town  as  just  laid  off,  and  as   each 

addition  begins  with  number  1,  2,  and  so  on,  it  follows  that  there  are  five 

lots  thus  numbered  in  the  Town  of  Cumberland,  a  circumstance  it  was 

impossible  for  the  Commissioners  to   avoid   under  the  restriction  of  the 

law  giving  them  their  powers.     At  first  glance  of  the  plat  this  may  seem 

like  confusion,  but  which  it  will  be  easy  to  avoid  if  where  in  searching  for 

any  number  due  regard  be  had  to  the  addition  it  is  distinguished  by  as 

lyine  in.    There  are  on  the  plat  two  lots  numbered  219,  which  could  not 

be  avoided,  as  by  some  error  conveyances  had  been  made  to  two  different 

persons  for  two  adjoining  lots  by  this  number,  but  to  distinguish  we  have 

failed  one  the  senior  and  the  other  the  junior  lot.     Occasionally  on  our 

approach  to  the  neighborhood  of  some  metalic  substance,  we  found  our 

>elves  led  astray  from    the  attraction  of  the  needle;  sometimes    we  were 

unable  to  discover  where  the  cause  lay,  though  the  effect  was  quite  plain. 

It  was  observable  that  in  passing  by  where  had  been  several  years  back  a 

smith  shop  the  attraction  from  small  particles  of  iron  concealed  under  the 

LTound  WHS  very  considerable,  and   would  have  thrown  us  totally  into 

toufusiou  had  it   not  been  discovered  in  time.     So  that  in  any   future 


288 


HISTOKY  OF    CUMHKKLAND. 


[181(1. 


4 


running  due  caution  ou<?ht  to  be  paid  to  this  circumstance.  The  Com 
iniHsionerH  aHk  for  their  intcntionH,  and  their  r(;turn,  a  fair  and  iil)i>ru! 
interpretation,  and  while  thoy  are  conlident  Htrict  and  eiiual  re^Mnl  lu- 
been  paid  to  each  particular  interest,  express  a  hope  their  hiljors  will  Ijc 
found  to  have  given  order,  form  and  certainty  to  what  was  herotol'ort; 
perplexed,  confused  anil  doubtful,  and  that  each  proprietor  of  a  lot  in  the 
Town  of  Cumberland  may  discover  its  situation,  extent  and  liuiit.s,  bv  a 
reference  to  the  plat,  and  without  an  appeal  to  the  remedy  at  Olw.  which 
la  always  attended  with  expense  and  delay. 

nOQKR   PFOIUIY, 
EVAN  (JWYNN, 
JONATHAN  COX. 
GEOUGK  HOFFMAN', 
W.  BRUCE. 

The  accumulation  of  the  record.s  of  the  Court 
rendered  it  necessary  that  a  proper  i)lace  .should  Ix- 
provided  for  their  ])re.servation,  and  in  1800  the 
lieginlature  authorized  the  County  Conuni.>*si()ners  to 
levy  the  .sum  of  $1,200,  which  wa.s  to  be  collected  in 
one,  two  and  three  year.s,  for  the  purpose  of  buildiiifi 
offices  for  the  reception  of  the  papers  and  records  of 
the  County,  and  for  the  proper  accommodation  of  the 
Clerk  of  the  Court.  Such  a  building  was  erected  on 
the  public  grounds  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Court 
House,  and  just  whore  the  Academy  building  now 
stands.  It  was  occupied  continuously  until  the  com- 
pletion of  the  new  Court  House  in  1840. 

In  1810  an  act  supplementary  to  the  act  erecting 
the  town  was  passed  authorizing  the  appointment  of 
a  Street  Supervisor,  and  directing  that  all  monies 
collected  as  taxes  on  the  property  on  the  west  ami 
east  sides  of  Will's  Creek  should  be  expended  on 
that  side  on  which  it  was  C(jllected,  except  so  miicii 
as  might  be  necessary  to  pay  an  equal  proportion  ot 
the  salaries  of  the  Clerk  and  Bailiff. 


[1810. 


1813.] 


RESIDENTS   AND    HOUSES. 


289 


Thn  Com 
irnl    liberal 

ors  will  be 
lien-lofori' 
a,  li)t  in  thi' 
limits,  by  a 
t  niw.  which 

lY, 

ho   Court 

should  be 

180C)  tlu" 

isi oners*  to 

)lk'('tod  in 

■  buildinir 

records  of 

ion  of  the 

'I't'cted  oil 

ho  ('oui't 

iling   no\v 

the  coiu- 

erectiug 
itinent  of 
jl  monies 
Ivest  aiul 
I'nded  on 
ISO  mucli 
bortiou  of 


The  following  is  a  sketch  of  tlio  houHos  Htanding 
in  1813,  from  the  most  roliahle  data  that  can  ho 
ui)tiiinod,  taking  the  oldo.st  HtVoots  in  HucoosHion,  and 
tR'jrinning  with  the  west  side  of  the  Creek. 

Oil  the  south  side  of  Green  street,  where  it  is 
intersected  by  Water  street,  stood  a  house  and 
siiop,  which  was  used  by  a  man  named  Glenn. 
who  was  a  nail-maker;  the  brick  building  now  used 
as  the  residence  of  the  Chief  Engineer  of  the  Water 
Works,  was  erected  by  Roger  Perry,  in  1811;  next 
wiis  the  Dent  or  Dovecmon  house;  opposite  Glenn's 
nail-shop  was  the  house  of  Captain  Thomas  Blair, 
who  was  a  hatter;  nearly  opposite  the  Dent  house 
was  the  house  of  Michael  Kershner.  Ttiese  com- 
prised the  houses  east  of  Smallwood  street.  West 
of  this  street  were,  on  the  south  side,  William 
McMahon's  dwelling  and  store,  and  Faw's  tavern; 
on  the  north  side  were  the  houses  of  Rev.  Mr.  Ken- 
nedy, a  minister;  Mr.  Glissan ;  the  old  guard  quarters; 
George  Hughes,  and  Andrew^  McCleary. 

On  Rose  Hill  was  the  residence  now  occupied  by 
J.  G.  Lynn,  Esq.,  which  was  built  by  his  father,  in 
1810.  The  house  now  occupied  by  Dr.  James  M. 
Smith  was  built  in  1810,  by  Upton  Bruce,  who 
resided  there. 

Wasliington    street    was   then    a    very  steep  and 

rough  road.     There   were  but  four  houses  on    the 

f^outh  side,  one  built  by  Mr.  Deakins,  and  afterwards 

bought  by  John  Hoye;  the  old   Washington   head- 

'luarters;  a  frame  house  a  few  yards  west  of  it,  and 

1'  brick   house    on   the   site  now  occupied    by  Hon. 

^Villiam  Walsh's  residence.     On  the  north  side  were 
37 


29(1 


HISTORY    (IF    CUMBERLAND. 


[ISIJ 


the  Court  Uoust'  and  jail,  the  Clerks'  office,  and  tlu' 
house  built  by  Roger  Perry. 

On  the  gTound  north  of  Fayette  street,  near  the 
present  railroad  line,  were  Hanson  ]5riscoe's  house. 
the  Methodist  Church,  the  Academy,  and  a  small 
house  in  the  r  ;ar  of  the  ground  now  occupied  by  the 
residence  of  Mr.  R.  D.  Johnson. 

These  co!nprised  all  the  houses  on  the  west  side  of 
the  Creek. 

On  Bedford  street,  now  Baltimore  street,  a  black- 
smith shop  stood  noi^r  the  banks  of  the  Creek,  and 
in  close  proximity  to  the  bridge;  on  the  southwest 
corner  of  Baltimore  and  Mechanic  streets  was  a 
frame  store  house ;  on  the  ground  now  occupied  by 
Mrs.  S.  Thress's  store,  was  a  log  house,  built  by 
Robert  McCleary.  (This  was  torn  down  and  re- 
placed by  a  brick  house  in  1830).  On  the  north  side 
Peter  Gephart  had  a  dwelling  where  McKaig's  block 
stands,  below  Liberty  street;  near  the  corner  was 
Dowden's  house.  Between  LilxTty  and  Mill  (now 
(Jentre)  streets  the  ground  was  occupied  by  John 
Shryer's  tan  yard,  and  on  the  northwest  corner  of 
Baltimore  and  Centre  stood  the  old  Lutheran  Church. 

On  Liberty  street  there  were  no  houses,  except 
those  occupied  by  Captain  Thomas  Beall  of  Samuel. 
and  John  Miller. 

Mechanic  street  was  at  that  time  the  main  street. 
and  the  houses  located  there  were  as  follows,  taken 
in  sequence  from  the  south  to  the  north :  On  the 
west  side  l)elow  Harrises  street,  Elnathan  Russell."* 
house  and  blacksmith  shop,  both  still  standing  at  the 
t)ffset  in  the  street;    A.    Rogers,  butcher;    Nicholas 


1  c  1  *>  T 


RESIDENTS    AND    HOUSES. 


291 


Kooiitz;   Michael    Fi.sher,   cooper;    Henry   Wineow, 
hrickmason ;  Tlionias  Dowdeii.  bljicksmitli.     Between 
Creek  and  Baltimore  streets : — first,  Slicer's  tavern, 
the  Cumberland    Bank,  Wyatt's  drug  store,  corner 
Baltimore.     Between  Baltimore  street  and  Bedford 
street: — Reeside's,or  McKinley's,  hotel,  (old  National) 
John  Scott,  Dr.  Reese,  McGill's  drug  store,  E.  Vowell's 
store,  Samuel  Lowdermilk,  Peter  Lowdermilk,  har- 
ness and  saddlery  shops;   William  Shryer  s  cabinet 
shop.   George  Ho])litzeirs    store.     Between  Bedford 
street   and  the  Blue  Spring: — The  first  house  was 
where  the  gas  works  stand,  and  was  occupied  by  a 
shoemaker    named    McDonald;    then     came   Adam 
Zoigler's  store;   Jacob  Neft"s    pottery;   W.  Boyd,  a 
Methodist     Episcopal    minister;    James     Simmons. 
Initoher;  Robert  McCleary,  and  Jacob  Korns,  black- 
Miiith.  just  below  the  Blue  Spring.     Above  the  Spring 
wore  Samuel   Smith,   store    and    post-office;    Henry 
Koriis,  c(mi)Mnaker;   M.    Soyster,  tan    yard;  Jacob 
Soyster,    saddler,  and    Wm,    Beard.     West   side  of 
Mechanic    street:  —  First,     Martin     Rizer's  house; 
Ix'tween    Harrison   and    Baltimore   streets,   Michael 
Korshner's  new  house;  Arthur  Rose;  John  Boward; 
Christian  Deetz;  N.  Bassnet;  George  Hoffman,  and 
on  the  southeast  corner  of  Baltimore,  John  Murrell's 
store.     Between    Baltimore    and    Bedford: — Barton 
'arico's  tavern;  Justice's  store;  Ryan's  tavern;  C.  F. 
Broadhag's  store;   George  Hoblitzell;  Jacob  Saylor; 
•lohn  Gephart,   hatter;    Solomon   Davis,  tailor,  and 
•^acob  Hoblitzell's  store.    Between  Bedford  street  and 
Little  Valley  Road : — John  Scott's  mill,  (corner  Bed- 
ford.)   George    Thistle;    Peter  Lowdermilk;   Jacob 


292 


HISTORY  OF    CUMBERLAND. 


[1818. 


Shuck;  Dr.  Murray;  Henry  Baker;  Benjamin  WiUn-; 
Francis  Madorc,  (corner  of  alley  below  Kjiilroad 
viaduct);  Michael  Wire's  drug  store;  Wolf;  (loorfro 
(Jox,  Joinithan  Cox,  tanyard;  James  Hook,wheelrig}it; 
John  Wickard,  farmer;  Jacob  Sease;  B.  Howard; 
Henry  Korns ;  Dickeson  Simkius'  "  Three  Butts 
Hotel."  North  of  Little  Valley  street  :~Thomas  Clin- 
ton; .Petc;rs(m  ;  Elias  Hook;  Hector  Mcintosh,  coml)- 
maker;  Strieker,  tailor;  Crawford,  shoemaker;  David 
Shultz,  wagon-maker;  John  Howe;  Jonathan  llon- 
drixon,  carpenter;  Peter  Lichlider;  and  Starner. 

Mill  street,  now  Centre  street,  was  then  a  narrow, 
crooked  road  through  a  commons,  with  but  few 
houses  scattered  here  and  there.  At  the  corner  of 
Centre  and  Baltimore  streets  was  Shryer's  tan  yard. 
on  the  north  west,  and  the  Lutheran  Church  on  tlie 
northeast.  At  the  corner  of  Bedford  street,  where 
the  City  Hall  now  stands  was  the  house  of  John 
Clise.  On  the  northwest  ccu'ner  of  Bedford  and 
Centre  was  Startzman's  tan  yard,  and  on  the  north- 
east corner  was  Thomas  Thistle's  house,  a  tavern. 
The  Catholic  Church  stood  on  the  ground  now 
occupied  by  the  Carroll  Hall  school  building,  adjoin- 
ing the  present  Church  grounds.  Immediately  south 
of  it  was  James  White's  house,  and  across  the  street 
lived  Peter  Louderbaugh.  James  Bean  occupied  a 
house  a  few  hundred  yards  north,  and  above  Litth' 
Valley  road  were  two  other  houses,  one  of  which  was 
the  house  of  Mrs.  Waugh,  a  midwife. 

Bedford  street,  or,  as  it  was  then  called,  IJlocher 
street,  boasted  a  very  limited  number  of  buildings* 
On  the  south  side,  near  the  corner  of  Centre,  lived 


1818.] 


KESIDENTS    AND    HOUSES. 


203 


Mrs.  Willison  and  James  Moore;  on  tho  _ 
occupied  by  Mrs.    Henry  Korns'   residence 
house    of    Francis    Deems;   in    a    field 


gronnd  now 

was  the 

(corner    of 


Decatur  street)  lived  Abraham  Simkins.  On  the 
iiortli  side  of  the  street,  where  Jesse  Korns  now  lives, 
was  a  block  of  small  honses  known  as  "  Berry's 
Row."  A  short  distance  above  were  James  P. 
Ciirleton's  and  John  Lingo's,  and  next  Eckles' 
Pottery,  George  Blochers,  (house  still  standing,) 
Jacob  Shuck's  and  John  McMahon's. 

A  grist  mill  stood  at  the  mouth  of  the  race,  where 
the  wharf  of  the  Consolidation  Coal  Company  is 
located.  This  mill  was  built  somewhere  about  1800, 
bv  Peter  Devecmon,  at  a  cost  of  i|8,000,  and  was 
regarded  as  one  of  the  finest  mills  in  the  State.  It 
was  bought  by  Patrick  Murdoch,  but  payments  not 
hoing  made  a  law  suit  resulted  after  Murdoch's  death. 

These  embraced  all  the  houses  in  the  town,  with 
the  exception,  possibly  of  three  or  four.  The  whole 
number  of  houses  was  one  hundred  and  thirty-eight. 
Till'  taxable  property  amounted  to  $22,829,  according 
to  the  assessment,  which  was  put  at  very  low  figures. 
The  following  is    a  list  of  the  names   of  property 

holders,    and    the    amount   with    which    each    was 

assessed : 

John  Anderson $1,080 

Harmenus  Alricka 25 

l!i)l)prt  Armstrong 2.5 

Christian  Albright 100 

''hKrles  F.  Broiidlian 21*0 

•l(hn  I.  Bnph • I'j 

Mary  Ann  Boyd'.s  heirs .'5.S0 

N'ehcmiah  Hasrictt's  heirs 450 

Peier  Buniwnrt 200  j  Robert  Beaver 100 

Margaret  &  Hlizabeth  Beard.       :^0   Upton  Bruce 700 

'ieorjre  Bloeher 252    Thomas  Beall,  of  Samuel 1,815 

■lohn  Bridenhart GO  I  Hanson   Briscoe 175 


Daniel  C.  Brant's  heirs $  115 

Jacob  Blocher .'UiO 

John  C.  Beatty's.heirs 225 

Andrew   Bruce 12 

Upton  Bruce  and  J  Cox tlO 

Jeremiah  Berry H(t 

C.  V.  Broadhag   and    (Jeorge 
Magruder. 


294 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[181^J. 


Jonathan    Cox $  184 

Dennis  Corbet 20 

{j(}ni<ic  Clmk'a  hum 40 

Absalom  Chambers ")0 

David  Cox 28.5 

Oeorpre  dice's  heirs 100 

Zadoek  Clark 40 

Frederick  Christman 80 

David  Cook 15 

ChriHtiaii  Deetz's  heirs. I2.j 

Frederick  Deems 00 

Mary  Davis  heirs 87 

Francis   Dtakins 30 

Grafton  Duvall 25 

Solomon  Davis 80 

Haniiah  Entler's  heirs 40 

Leonard  Kxtines  heirs 50 

Michael  Fisher 100 

George  Fnnke 175 

Abrahan  Fawn  205 

.lobn  Folk 240 

Jacob  Fair 75 

James  Glenn 25 

J(jhn  Graham 7.") 

Peter  Gephart 11 1 

Peter  Geary 70 

James  Hook 75 

Geor-ire  Uebb 280 

Jacob  Holitzell 4()5 

(ieorge  Hoffman 280 

T>avid  Hoffman,  Sr 817 

James  Hendrixson 90 

John  L.  Hook 71 

John  Hunter 80 

John  Hoblitzell 200 

Daniel  Haner 80 

George  M.  Houx 15 

Beall  Howard 115 

John  Hoye 485 

George  Hoblitzell 80 

Jonathan  Hendrixson 40 

Clement  Engle 15 

Michael  Kershner 05 

Nicholas  Koontz 105 

Lawrence  Klemmer's  heirs...  50 

Joseph  Keiley's  heirs 40 

Christian  Kealhoover 10 

John  Kime's  heirs 56 

.lacob  Korns 180 

H.  Kornsand  J.  Witt 80 

James  Kinkead 200 

Samuel  Lowdermilk's  heirs...  G 

Robert  Larimore 15 

John  Lynn's  heirs 55 


Peter  Lowdermilk $  12,", 

William  Lamar 240 

David  ]>ynn H(i 

Patrick  Murdoch 20.", 

John  McCiearys  heirs Ifi 

George  Marrow I4(i 

Mary  Myers H(i 

Jacob  Myers'  heirs % 

William  Moore 7(i 

Robert  McCleary.Sr 7;, 

William  McMahon (lie 

Henry  Mattingly il,') 

Henry  McCieary i:, 

Nancy  Mcintosh 3,'^ 

John  Myers 5U 

Andrew  McCleary's  heirs 50 

John  McKim,  Jr 80 

Clement  Masters 4.'p 

John  Milbourn .lO 

Isaac  Miintz 2.'i 

Robert   McCleary,  Jr 120 

Francis  Madore jO 

Henry  McKinley 210 

Mary  Murdoch 2'^J 

Jane  Mcintosh in 

Jacob  Neff. j'> 

William  Osborn I'T 

Richard  J.  Orms i.'i 

John  Patterson H.j 

Joseph  Poison li'i 

George  Payne's  heirs "J 

Thomas  Price's  heirs 10 

Edward  Pannell !J 

Roger  Perrv 600 

John  Peter.". 80 

Martin  llizer,  Jr liiJ 

Anthony  Reintzell 1'' 

EInathan  Rnssoll (10 

Thomas  Reid's   heirs ">' 

John  Ryan T' 

William  Roberts 10 

Martin  Rizer's  Sr..  heirs 1m 

George  Rizer,  of  Martin 200 

.lames  Robardent's  heirs •>'' 

Martin  Rizer  of  Mathias 1' 

.Jacob  Shuck '" 

George   Shuck 12" 

John  J.  Seiss '^^ 

Robert  Selby's  heins '" 

Gilbert  Strong •^•' 

Henry  Startzman ^^^ 

Michael  Soyster ''' 

John  Shryer 210 

James  Scott 210 


1814.] 


THE   WAR   WITH   ENGLAND. 


295 


Uickeson  Simkius $  17'> 

I'atrick  Sullivim I'J-} 

Waller  Slicer l)*^!^'^ 

.lyiiii  Scott '-i"" 

.lames  Seiiright -tO 

,l(iscph  Shumate -10 

John  Searight Ij^O 

Samuel  Smith's  heirs 230 

.lohn  Shuck ^0 

Benjrtmin  StoiKlert's  heirs :^0 

(leorge  Thistle 270 


.lamp?  Timmons 

.lohiiTimilinson 

.l(.-iali  Thoinpson 

Sainiitl  Tiiorntis 

i'o<j;ress  of  the  war 


IK) 
10 
l.-) 
1.-) 


Kbenezer  Vowell S  471 

IJenjamin  G.  Vaughn 75 

John  B.  Wright, t>i3 

Henry  Wineow 170 

John  Walls 00 

Samuel  Walls        -10 

Sarah  Willison's  heirs :iO 

Michael   Wire l";'-5 

Charles  Worthington 20 

Benjamin  Wiley "^ 

O.  II.  and  Eli  Williams 20 

John   Wickanl 50 

(Jeorge  W.  VKnt/ ^^ 


Total ^22,821) 

The    progress  of  the  war    of    1812-14,    and    the, 
arrival  off  our  coasts  of  a  large  imiuber  of  British, 
who  threatened   the    National   Capital,   as  well  as 
Ikltimore,  led  the  President  to  issue  a  proclamation 
on  the  4th  of  July,  1814,  calling  upon  the  Governors 
of  the  various    States   for  militia.     Maryland   was 
rt'([uired  to  furnish  one  Major-General,  three  Brigadier 
(ienerals;    one    Deputy  (Quartermaster-General,  one 
Assistant  Adjutant-General,  and  six   regiments,    to 
consist  of  600  artillerists,  and  5,400  infantry.     The 
Democrats  and  Federalists  in  the  State  were  divided 
upon  the  war  question,  the  Federalists  calling  them- 
sehes  the  -'Friends  of  Peace,"  and  demanding  that 
tlie  government  should  confine  itself  to  a  defensive 
war,  and  make  no  pretense  of  war  upon  Canada.     In 
the  foil  of  1814,  they  elected  their  candidates  in  this 
county,  to  the  Legislature,  their  ticket  being  made 
up  of  Jesse  Tomlinson,  WilHam  McMahon,  William 
HiUeary,  and  Jacob  Lantz.     The  Democrats,  or  ''  war 
hiuvks,"  as  they  were  called,   nominated    Thomas 
Cresap,  Thomas  Greenwell,  Benjamin  Tomlinson  and 

Upton  Bruce. 
Allegany's  quota  towards  filling  the  State  requisi- 


•'  * 


200 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1814. 


tion  was  filled,  there  being  a  considerable  degree  of 
enthusiasm  manifested.  Two  companies  of  infantrv 
were  formed  in  the  county,  one  under  Captain 
William  McLaughlin,  and  the  other  under  Captain 
Thomas  Blair.  The  first  was  made  up  in  the  lower 
part  of  the  county,  while  Captain  Blair's  company 
was  composed  largely  of  citizens  of  the  town. 

Cfiptain  McLaughlin's  company  went  to  Baltimore 
in  August,  and  joined  the  First  Regiment  of  Maryland 
Militia,  under  Colonel  John  Ragan,  on  the  lltli  of 
August,  1814,  and  served  until  October  13th,  when 
it  was  mustered  out,  returned  to  the  county,  and 
was  disbanded.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the  names 
of  members  of 


CAPTAIN     MCI-At'<iHI,IN  S    COMPANY. 


Names. 


Wm.  McLaughlin 

James  Hook 

Oeor^e  Shuck 

Frederick  Rice 

Robert  Little 

Frederick    Deems 

John  Porter 

James  M.  White 

Jacob  Waggoner 

Rezin  Hook 

Daniel  Poland 

John  Waltz 

William  Street 

Joseph  S.  Stafford 

John  North 

Busey  John 

Brown   Benjamin 

Bryan  James 

Barr  David 

Barnes   Nathaniel.... 

Bevana  Michael 

Bevans  James 

Banks    Samuel 

Beenian  Thomas 

Bryan    Nathaniel 

Broadwater  William. 
Bover  James 


Rank. 


Names. 


Captain.  ; 
1st  Lieut 
2d  liieut. 
Ensign. 
Sergeant. 

do 

do 

do 

do 
Corporal. i 

do      ' 

do       ' 

do 

do 

do      i 
Private. 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do      < 

do      ' 

do 

do      ! 


Busey  Charles 

Burrows  Klias 

Clabaugh  Martin 

Connelly  Bernard , 

Clemmer  liewis 

Cox  David , 

Chapman  Samuel 

Creamer  John 

Clark  Jacob 

Connelly  F^dward 

Crawford  Samuel 

Davis  Isaiah 

Deverbaugh  Benjamin. 

Entler  Michael 

Erb  Joseph 

Garey  Frederick 

Gowar  Nicolas 

Hoblitzell  Samuel    

Hager  George 

Isenhart  .Jacob 

Jadwin  Thomas 

Jolley  Benjamin 

Johnson  William 

Mohnson  John 

'.Folley  William 

Kennedy  Robert  R 

Kcmpton  James 


Runk. 


Private, 
do 
d(. 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
d.. 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 


W^m 


1814.] 


legree  of 

infantrv 

Captain 

p  Captain 

the  lower 

company 

Baltimoiv 
■Maryland 
le  11th  of 
1 3th,  when 
Dunty,  and 
the  names 


THE    WAR    WITH    ENGLAND. 


.Al'TAIX    MCl.AU(iHMN\S    lOMPANY. 


297 


Names. 


Kinsey  David 

I.anlz  John 

I.iitey  niMijiiinin  II.. 

Lt'iters  Daniel 

I.oar  George 

Lee  .lames 

I.ee  .Iiicob 

i.ee  John 

Love  Arcliihahl 

l.auijhridge  .lohn.... 

Lee  Frederick 

Morrow  .lames 

Martin  Jolin , 

Melntire  John 

Markee  .lohn 

Myers  Peter 

Moore  James 

Miller  George 

Michaels  Abraham. 

Madore  Francis 

NetfJdlin.Jr 

Xorthcralt  M.... 

Perriii  .Inseph 

Paxton  .Inseph 

Paxton  William 


Rank. 

'rivate. 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 


Names. 

Rank. 

Porter  Hen  ry 

Private. 

[lice   (Jeori'c 

do 

[iesoner  Arjahm 

do 

llhodeH  Diiniel 

Russell  John 

do 
do 

Ilice  Frederick 

do 

Hobinette  El izophr 

lliley  Thoinas 

do 
do 

Sterner  Jacob 

do 

Shellhorn  Ilenrv 

do 

Spencer  Moses 

do 

Sherry  James 

do 

Spill  in  an  Peter 

do 

Say  lor  Jacob 

Sch'^pper  Jacob 

do 
do 

Shuck  John 

do 

Stoyer  Absalom 

do 

Tumbuster  Jacob 

do 

Willson  Jonathan 

do 

Willson  Isaac 

do 

White  Samuel 

do 

Willson  Joshua 

do 

iWhnllev  Levi 

do 

iWillison  Amos  

do 

jZumbuly  Jacob 

do 

The  Company  formed  in  Cumberland  was  made 
up  of  excellent  material,  the  organization  having 
been  effected  some  months  before.  By  frequent 
drills,  and  the  most  friendly  rivalry  amongst  the 
members,  a  state  of  discipline  and  proficiency  had 
Itoen  arrived  at,  which  put  them  upon  a  footing  with 
veterans,  and  Captain  Blair  was  j  ustly  proud  of  his 
command.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the  officers 
iiiid  men  of  the  company,  which  marched  to 
Baltimore  in  the  latter  part  of  August,  and  was  in 
tlie  service  of  the  government  as  part  of  the 
iiiUional  army  from  September  2d  to  November  6, 
l!^U,  which  time  was  spent  at  Camp  Diehl,  near 
e: 


38 


298 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1814. 


CAPTAIN    BliAIRa    (.OMPANY. 


Names. 


Blair  Thomas 

MeAtee  Walter 

!>ow(lermilk  Samuel. 

Shaw  \Vm  

liinkle  Alpheus 

Shuck  .lacob 

IIoux  George  M 

Delouhrey  John 

Strahan  Robert 

Keath  .lainea 

Taney  James 

McKinsey*  Moses.... 
Clinton*  Thomas  — 

Allen  John 

Bernard  James 

Bowlie  Jacob 

Backer  John 

Burns  James 

Britton  Nathaniel.... 

Bruce  Francis 

Beall  Alpheus  B 

Burgess  Alfred 

Bumsby  William  B., 

Broadwater  Charles. 

Britt  Robert 

Cox  John 

Coddington  Robert.., 

Case  John 

Clark  Zadock 

Conrade  Michael 

Uart  John 

Devore  Aaron 

Deaking  John 

Drain  Thomas 

Drain  James 

Elbin  Reuben 

Fisher  John 

Fling  John 

Foley  John 

Forsyth  Joseph 

Fryer  George 

Frazee  Elisha 

Gross   Adam 

Griffy  John    

Golding  Wm 

Gordon  William 

Hoffman  Jacob 

Hoff  Frederick 


Rank. 


Captain 
Ist  Lieut. 
2d  Lieut 
LstSergt 
'2d  Sergt 
:}d  Sergt 
1th  Sergt 
IstCorpl. 
2d  Corpl. 
:{d  Corpl. 
4th  Corpl 
Drum'r. 
Fifer. 
Private, 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
dc. 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 


Names. 


Humphrey  John  

Harding  John 

Hoffman  .Fohn  J 

Hall  Solomon 

Hendrixon  Thomas... 

Irons  James 

Irons  Thomas 

Knott  Wm 

iKight  Cornelius 

JKennedy  .lames 

Kelly  William 

Kelly  Joseph 

Korns  Charles 

Kelly  Moses 

Kelly  Samuel 

Layfoot  John 

Lowery  John 

Long  George 

Milhollaiid  Stephen... 

Moor  John 

Moore  Gabriel  M 

Martin  Joseph 

Massor  John 

Mart/.  Henry 

Murphy  James  Ist.... 

Murphy  .James  2d 

Morrison  Arthur 

Miller  Godfrey 

McKinsey  Jesse 

Mumau  David 

.McCartney  James.... 

Majors  William  

Morrison  George  W.. 

Morris  Elisha 

Neptune  William 

Newman  John  C 

Newman   George  A., 

Northcraft  Edward... 

Newton  Athanias 

Potter  John 

Porter  Joseph 

Poland  John 

Potter  David 

Pliimmer  Thomas... 

Parkenson  William. 

Peters  George 

Peterman  John 

Riland  Thomas 


Rank. 

Private 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 


*Mo»es  McKiiisev  and  Thomas  Clinton   liad   both  served  in  tl)e  Revolutionary  *''™r-     fe 
lived  in  Cuniborland,  and  on  all  public  demonstrations  were  accuetomed  to  come  out  o" 
streets  and  play  tlie  drum  and  life. 


1814.] 


THE   WAR   WITH    ENGLAND. 


299 


CAPTAIN    BLAIR'a   COMPANY. 


Names. 


Rank. 


RHvenscraf't  James \  Private. 


Riley  Klisha 

Koiids  .liicob 

Hizer  John 

Stephen  William. 

Sil'ord  David 

Savage  Samuel... 

Sapp  Adam 

Shepherd  John... 

Spiker  Adam 

Shimer  Jacob.... 

Smith  Henry 

Shircliil'  Lewis.... 
Stanton  Joshua.. 


do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 


Nn 


mes. 


Shockey  John 

Shelhouse  John 

Tasker  I'^lisha 

Thrasher  Peter 

Tomlinaon  Jesse 

Trail  Abner  A 

Taylor  Mai 

V'ansickle  Zachariah. 

Wolfe  Jacob 

White  James  T 

Wilson  William 

Woodroufrh  Samuel.. 
Winzett  William 


Rank. 


Private, 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 


The  officers  of  the  First  Regiment  Maryland  Militia,  were  as 
follows : 

The  officer  in  command  at  Camp  Diehl  was  Major  General  Samuel 
Smith.  John  Ragan,  Jr.,  Colonel.  Stephen  Steiner,  Lieutenant-Colonel. 
John  Blackford,  Major  Ist.  Benjamin  G.  Cole,  Major  2d.  Nathan 
Cromwell,  Adjutant.  John  Markle,  Quarter-Master.  George  W.  Boerstler, 
Paymaster.  William  Hilleary,  Sergeant.  Arthur  Nelson,  Ist  Mate. 
Daniel  Fifzhugh,  2d  Mate.  Christian  C.  Fechtig,  Adjutant.  Joab 
Doggett,  Hospital  Steward.  Christian  Baker,  Sergeant  Major.  Adam 
Fisher,  Quartermaster  Sergeant. 

At  the  January  session  of  the  Legislature  an  act 
was  passed  authorizing  George  Thistle,  Samuel 
Smith,  John  Scott.  Jacob  Lantz,  John  Folck,  Peter 
Lowdermilk,  and  William  Lamar,  Sr.,  to  hold  a 
lottery  for  the  purpose  of  raising  |2,000  to  be  applied 
to  the  purchase  of  a  fire  engine  for  the  town. 

In  addition  to  the  names  of  residents  heretofore 
iiiveii,  in  1814,  the  following  persons  were  engaged 
business  in  the  town,  viz  : — James  M.  White, 
Middles  and  harness ;  John  Gcphart,  auctioneer ;  W. 
T.  A.  Pollock,  saddles,  &c.;  Dr.  Read,  drugs,  &c.; 
Wm.  IIoux,  chairmaker ;  John  Milburn,  auctioneer ; 
John  Folck,  warehouse ;   Zadoc  Clark,  hat  factory ; 


ill 


;^oo 


HISTORY    OF    CUMliEKLAND. 


[1814 


Robert  MTiuiro,  watchmaker;  Dr.  Veirs,  phyf^iciiin; 
MisH  Bradley,  teaclier. 

Tlie  Perry  Ilou.se,  just  acroHs  the  river,  in  West 
Vir<'inia,  was  built  by  (ieorge  Cahnes,  in  181  (i,  and 
afterwards  ])asse(l  into  poHsessiou  of  Roger  Perry. 

In  1811  the  Legishiture  liad  establislied  "  The 
Cuniberhmd  liaiik  of  Allegany,"  to  be  located  in 
Cumberland,  the  capital  stock  to  be  $200,0(10,  and 
to  be  divided  into  four  thousand  shares  of  fiftv  dollars 
each,  and  the  stockholders  to  be  exempt  from  anj 
liability  beyond  their  stock.  The  bank  was  to  be 
managed  by  eight  directors  and  a  president. 

When  the  bank  issued  its  notes,  by  some  misun- 
derstanding as  to  the  orthography  of  that  much 
abused  word  "  Allegany,"  the  engraver  spelled  it 
"  Alleghany,"  and  as  the  notes  had  been  put  in 
circulation  before  the  error  was  discovered,  in  order 
to  avoid  the  exi)ense  of  new  plates,  as  well  as  the 
inconvenience  of  calling  in  the  circulation,  an  act 
was  secured  at  the  June  session  of  the  Legislature. 
in  1812,  changing  the  name  to  "The  Cumberland 
Bank  of  Alleghany." 

The  officers  of  the  bank,  chosen  at  its  first  election 
were,  Upton  Bruce,  President ;  and  M.  Wallace. 
Cashier. 

In  1814,  in  consequence  of  the  war,  the  Eastern 
banks  suspended  specie  payments,  and  on  the  17tli 
of  September,  1814,  the  Cumberland  Bank  followed 
their  example. 

About  1812,  the  first  newspaper  in  Cumberland 
was  established,  by  Samuel  Magill,  and  was  called 
the    "Allegany   Freeman."     It  was  Democratic  in 


1814.] 


THE    FIKST    NEWSPAPERS. 


301 


politics,  and  was  edited  in  a  very  vij^orous  manner. 

On  tlie  l^tli  of  Jannary,  1814,  Williani  Jirown 
cstaMislied  the  "Cumberland  (Jazette,"  a  sixteen- 
(M)liiirin  Federalist  paper,  puhliKlied  every  Thursday. 

The  olliees  oi'  these  two  papers  were  located  on 
Mechanic  street,  near  Baltimore  street.  Their 
tolunms  were  given  up  entirely  to  war  news,  politics 
and  advertisements.  Local  matters  were  wholly 
JL'nored,  and  the  most  oftensive  personalities  freely 
indulged  in,  together  with  a  great  many  high-tlown 
patriotic  sentences. 

In  the  organization  of  the  Maryland  Militia,  the 
50th  regiment  was  ordered  by  the  Council  to  be 
organized  in  Allegany  County,  and  the  following 
officers  were  appointed  :  Thomas  Greenwell,  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel ;  John  Folck,  Major ;  Captains,  John 
Mi'Elfish,  Dennis  Beall,  Conrad  Corl)us,  Joseph 
France,  and  Thomas  Porter;  Adjutant,  Levi  Hil- 
leary.  It  does  not  appear  that  they  acquired  any 
LTeat  proficiency,  or  that  they  ever  held  even  so  much 
as  the  annual  "cornstalk"  drill. 

September  27th,  the  town  was  brilliantly  illumi- 
nated in  honor  of  the  gallant  victory  won  by  Captain 
.MacDonough,  on  Lake  Champlain,  wherein  he 
vanquished  a  British  fleet  greatly  his  superior. 
Processions  paraded  the  streets,  singing  and  shouting, 
and  the  entire  population  took  part  in  the  celebrar 
tion.  • 

The  town  was  incorporated  in  January,  1815,  at 
whic'ii  time  the  Legislature  passed  an  "Act  to  provide 
for  the  appointment  of  Commissioners,  for  the  regula- 
tion and  improvement  of  the  Town  of  Cumberland, 


302 


HISTOKV  OF    CUMHKHLANr). 


[18b) 


ill  Allc^j^uny  County,  and  to  incorporate  tlu'  mnw." 
TliiH  act  provided  that  five  jiidiciouH  and  (liMcivi't 
porsonw  rosidinp;  in  tiio  town,  ami  holding  real  \)Yon- 
orty  therein  sliouM  be  elected  by  ballot  on  the  first 
Mon(biy  of  .Fune,  1816,  and  on  the  same  day  ovorv 
year  tliereal'tei',  at  tlie  Court  House,  by  the  free  white 
male  citizens  of  the  a<jje  of  twenty-one  years,  who  had 
resided  in  the  town  one  whole  year  m^xt  [jrecediii;: 
the  eh'ction,  and  that  the  live  persons  having  the 
highest  number  of  votes  should  be  declared  elecUMJ 
These  (.onnnissioners  were  ordered  at  the  lirst 
elxKrtion  to  (diooso  one  of  their  own  number  as  Cim'l 
Burgess  for  that  year.  They  were  reijuired  to  moet 
at  least  four  tiIn(^s  each  year,  on  the  first  Monday  of 
May,  .iuly,  October  and  I)ecend)er,  and  oftenor  il 
necessary,  to  attend  to  the  business  of  the  town. 
They  were  incorporatcKl  under  the  name  of  "Tin 
Chief  Burgess  and  the  other  (Jommissioners  of  the 
Town  of  (Juml)erland,"  The  limit  of  taxation  for 
town  purposes  was  fixed  at  one  dollar  ibr  every  one 
hundred  dollars'  worth  of  property.  They  vvcro 
authorized  to  emjjloy  a  clerk  and  a  bailift",  who  wfro 
to  receive  a  reasonable  compensation. 

In  1816  an  additional  act  was  passed  by  the  Legis- 
lature, appointing  Roger  Perry,  William  McMahoii 
and  John  Scott  commissioners  to  lay  olF,  locate,  mark, 
bound  and  nundjer  into  lots,  streets,  lanes  and  alleys. 
the  land  lying  between  Flat  street  and  the  Potomiu' 
river,  and  between  Smallwood  and  Chase  streets,  but 
exempted  from  city  taxation  all  the  lots  thus  laid  oil 
until  they  should  ))e  improved. 

At  the  January  session  of  the  Legislature,  in  181(1. 


i8i(;.] 


TMK    (JLASS    FACTORY. 


803 


ii  jx'tition  was  j^nintod  lor  tlio  inrorponition  of  tho 
('umlK'rljiiul  Wiitor  Oornpany,  the  objcol  lHMn«;  to 
iiitroduoc  Hol't  water  into  the  town.  Tlic  (■otm)any 
was  autliorizcd  to  rai.so  a  capital  of  iflO, ()()(),  by  the 
isHiio  of  i")!)!)  nliarcs  of  .stock  at  $20  per  nharo.  Tho 
siihscription  hooks  were  to  be  opened  under  the  care 
of  John  Scott,  Peter  liowdennilk,  Samuel  Smith, 
Oorfre  Thistle,  David  Schriver  and  Michael  C. 
Sprigf,',  who  were  to  have  ample  jjowern  and  privi- 
leges.    The  project  was  never  carried  into  eflect. 

On  the  first  Monday  in  June,  1816,  the  first  elec- 
tion in  the  town  was  held  for  Comini.ssicmers.  and 
the  following  i)ersons  were  chosen :  David  Shri^  <•, 
Jr..  George  Thistle,  Henry  McKinley,  John  1'  '' 
iind  John  Scott.  These  Commisaioners  met  at  once, 
and  elected  from  their  own  number  .Tohn  Scott  to  be 
riiief  15urges.s.  Thomas  Pollard  was  then  appointed 
Clerk  to  the  body. 

Early  in  1810,  Messrs.  Roger  and  Thomas  Perry 
erected  a  glass  factory,  on  a  lot  of  ground  near  the 
site  of  the  residence  of  Mr.  John  B.  Widener.  They 
found  sand  suitable  for  their  purposes  on  Will's 
Mountain,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Narrows.  The 
first  glass  they  produced  was  from  a  coal  fire,  and 
proved  to  be  very  green.  This  blast  was  worked  up 
into  green  bottles.  Wood  was  tlien  used  for  fuel, 
:nid  some  very  excellent  glass  turned  out.  The 
manufactured  article  was  sold  in  the  towns  East^ 
ward,  as  well  as  in  Pittsburgh.  Mrs.  Grace  Neill 
lias  in  her  possession  at  present  several  pieces  of 
;ilass  made  at  this  factory,  which  she  carefully 
preserves  as  interesting  relics.     The  management  of 


304 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1819. 


this  enterprise  did  not  yield  the  expected  results,  and 
after  the  lap*<e  of  a  few  years,  about  1819,  the  Messrs. 
Perry  felt  compelled  to  abandon  it,  they  havin"f 
sustained  heavy  losses,  and  feeling  unable  to  m.ike 
any  further  ventures.  Some  portions  o/  the  old 
building  are  still  standing. 

The  ])rojected  establishment  of  slack  water  naviga- 
tion on  the  Potomac  viver,  between  tide\rater  and 
Cumberland,  led  to  the  most  extravagant  expectations 
of  commercial  progress  in  Cumberland,  and  owners 
of  lots  bordering  on  the  river  expected  to  realize 
fortunes  in  the  sale  of  their  property.  Several 
persons,  anticipating  heavy  trade  by  the  new  watc 
route  to  be  opened  up  by  the  Potomac  Company, 
erected  warehouses  for  storing  goods,  intending  U» 
engage  in  the  forwarding  business.  Amongst  others. 
John  Folck  built  a  large  brick  warehouse  on  the 
river  bank,  near  where  Mr.  A.  L.  Miller  s  residence 
now  stands.  The  failure  of  the  project  rendered  the 
speculation  unprofitable,  but  the  warehouse  was  used 
some  vears  afterwards  as  a  warehouse  and  store 
room  at  a  time  when  a  considerable  business  was 
done  on  the  river  in  transporting  coal  and  merchandise 
by  means  of  flat  boats. 

By  an  act  of  the  Legislature  of  1812 'a  considerable 
sum  of  money  had  been  appropriated  for  the  improve- 
ment of  the  road  from  Cnml^erland  to  Winding  Ridge, 
and  the  old  pike  leading  from  the  mouth  of  Wills 
Creek  through  Sandy  Gap  to  the  old  Braddock  Road 
WHS  built.  The  ford  at  the  foot  of  Creek  street  was 
passable  and  frequently  used,  as  repeated  disaster 
overtook  the  bridge  over  the  stream.     In  1820  the 


1820.] 


THE   SUSPENSION    BRIDGE. 


305 


brid'it'  wii.s  carried  away  by  a  freshet,  and  the  county 
authorities,  determined  to  provide  against  any  proba- 
ble contingency   of  the    kind  in   the   future,    after 
examining  the  bridge  architecture  of  the  period,  con- 
cluded to  erect  a  suspension  bridge  of  iron    chains, 
upon  a  phm   invented  by  James  Finley,  of  Fayette 
County,  Pa  ,  in  179G.     Mr.   Finley 's  were  the  first 
suspension  bridges  introduced  into  the  United  States, 
and  ho  had  already  built  several  spans  of  200  feet.* 
The  County  Commissioners  contracted  with  Valentine 
Shockey  to  construct  one  of  these  bridges  over  the 
Creek,  and  in  1820  the  Chain  Bridge  was  ^uilt.      The 
piers  v>^ere   single   locust  pos*:s,  there  being  two  at 
each  end,  braced  together  at  the  top.     The  span  was 
115i  feet  clear.     Tv/o  chains  stretched  from  one  side 
of  the  Creek  to  the  other;  the   deflection  was   one- 
sixth  of  the   span.     "The   double  links,  of  li  inch 
square  iron,  were  ten  feet  long.     The  centre  link  was 
horizontal,  and  at  the  level  of  the  floor;   and  at  its 
ends    were    stirruped    the   two   central    transverse 
girders.     From   the  ends   of  this   central  link  the 
chains  were  carried  in  straight  lines  to  the  tops  of 
the  posts,  25  feet  high,  wdiich  served  as  piers  or 
towers.     The  back  stays  were  carried  away  straight, 
at  the  same  angle  as  the  cables;  and  each  end  was 
confined  to  four  buried  stones  of  about  half  a  cubic 
yard  each.     The  floor  was  only  wide  enough  for  a 
mgh  line  of  vehicles.     All  the  transverse  girders 
were  ten  feet  apart,  and  supported  longitudinal  joists, 
to  whi       the   floor   was    spiked.     There   were    no 
restrictions  as  to  travel;  but  lines  of  carts  and  wagons. 


'Trautwiue'ii  Civil  EDgineen'  I'ocket  Book. 

39 


306 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1822. 


in  close  succession,  and  heavily  loaded  with  coal 
stone,  iron,  &c.,  crossed  it  almost  daily,  together  with 
droves  of  cattle  in  full  run.  The  slight  hand-railing 
of  iron  was  hinged,  so  as  not  to  be  bent  by  the 
undulations  of  the  bridge.  Six-horse  wagons  were 
frequently  driven  across  in  a  trot.  The  iron  was  of 
the  old-fashioned  charcoal,  of  full  thirty  tons  per 
square  inch  ultinuite  strength.  The  united  cross- 
section  of  the  two  double  links  was  7. 56  square  inches, 
which  at  thirty  tons  per  square  inch,  gives  227  tons 
for  their  ultimate  strength,  or  say  76  tcHis  with  a 
safety  of  3."  The  work  was  all  done  by  Mr.  Shockey 
in  his  own  shop,  and  was  of  the  most  durable  and 
satisfactory  character.  Amongst  the  several  work- 
men who  were  engaged  with  Mr.  Shockey  in  building 
the  bridge  was  Godfrey  Richards,  father  of  Mr.  Isaac 
Richards,  one  of  the  old  citizens  of  the  town.  In  1831. 
several  of  the  posts  or  piers  gave  way,  and  Jonathan 
Witt  was  employed  by  the  Commissioners  to  replace 
them.  This  was  done  by  the  substitution  of  new 
and  heavier  locust  posts,  the  work  when  com^jlcted 
being  declared  more  permanent  than  ever  before. 

In  1822  George  Bruce  was  Sheriff  of  the  county. 

In  September  of  1823  the  "'Maryland  Advocate," 
a  Democratic  paper,  was  established  by  Tohn  M. 
Buchanan,  the  "Allegany  Freeman"  having  been  dis- 
continued. 

In  October,  at  the  town  election,  Samuel  Magill  was 
chosen  Chief  Burgess,  and  John  McNeill,  Jr.,  was 
appointed  Clerk.  An  ordinance  was  passed  by  the 
Commissioners  requiring  all  property  owners  on 
Mechanic  street  to  pave  their  sidewalks. 


1824.] 


LOCAL    INCIDENTS. 


307 


At  the  county  election  on  October  1st,  the  follow- 
inj]^  persons  were  elected  to  represent  the  county  in 
the  Legislature,  viz:  George  Bruce,  Michael  C. 
Sprigg,  John  McMahon  and  John  McHenry.  The 
whole  vote  polled  was  3,777. 

November  30. — Captain  Thomas  Beall,  of  Samuel, 
proprietor  of  the  t(jwii,  and  an  old  revolutionary 
Holdier,  died  at  an  advanced  age,  highly  respected. 

February  24,  1824. — The  Legislature  passed  an  act 
limiting  the  levy  of  taxes  in  Cumberland,  for  town 
purposes,  to  fifty  cents  on  each  one  hundred  dollars 
of  assessable  property. 

April  1. — James  Black  refitted  and  opened  the 
tavern  on  south  Mechanic  street,  near  Creek  street. 
and  called  it  the  "Columbian  Inn." 

The  Judges  of  the  Orphans'  Court  were  Thomas 
Cresap,  John  McNeill,  aiid  William  McMahon. 

The  Levy  Court  was  composed  of  Benjamin  Tom- 
linsoii,  Samuel  Coddington.  John  Burbridge,  George 
W.  Glaze,  William  Price,  (of  Westernport.)  Meshack 
Frost  and  Walter  McAtee. 

The  town  officers  chosen  were.  Chief  Burgess, 
Roger  Perry;  Commissioners,  Peter  Garey,  John 
Boose,  John  Gephart,  Jr  ,  and  Gustavus  Beall;  Clerk, 
C.  Heck.     Tax  levied,  20  cents  on  each  $100. 

May  26. — General  Andrew  Jackson,  arrived  in 
Cumberland,  on  his  way  from  Washington  to  his 
home,  and  while  here  visited  the  site  of  old  Fort 
Cumberland,  and  walked  over  the  ground. 

A  remarkable  accident  occurred  in  the  summer  of 
1824,  the  result  of  which  was  little  less  than 
miraculous.     At  the  time  of  the  building  of  the  Jail 


308 


HISTORY    OF    CUiMBERLAND. 


[1824. 


and  Court  House,  about  the  beginning  of  the  century, 
the  want  of  good  drinking  water  led  the  Commis- 
sioners to  determine  upon  sinking  a  well.  Accordingly. 
in  1805,  they  appropriated  the  sum  of  £200  for  that 
purpose,  and  Upton  Bruce  and  Roger  Perry  were 
appointed  a  commission  to  have  the  work  done. 
They  selected  a  spot  just  in  front  of  the  Court  House 
yard,  on  Prospect  street,  and  sunk  a  well  ninety  feet 
in  depth,  which  was  walled  up  with  stone,  and 
furnished  with  a  large  wheel  and  two  buckets.  The 
water  obtained  was  excellent.  At  the  time  above 
indicated,  Belle  McMahon,  a  little  daughter  of 
William  McMahon,  about  five  years  of  age,  was  play- 
ing about  the  mouth  of  the  well,  when  suddenly  she 
lost  her  balance  and  fell  headlong  into  it.  A  number 
of  persons  at  once  ran  to  the  spot.  The  light 
clothing  of  the  child  could  be  seen  on  the  surfiice  of 
the  water,  but  every  one  was  convinced  that  she 
must  have  been  instantly  killed.  Her  mother, 
frantic  with  grief,  could  with  difficulty  be  restrained 
from  plunging  in  after  her  child.  Dr.  S.  P.  Smith 
wfis  amongst  the  first  to  come  to  the  rescue.  He 
procured  from  the  jail  a  long  rope,  with  grappling 
hooks,  which  was  used  for  recovering  the  buckets 
when  they  were  lost,  and  with  this  he  caught  the 
little  girl,  and  drew  her  to  the  surface.  She  was 
apparently  lifeless,  but  the  prompt  use  of  restoratives 
soon  brought  her  to  consciousness,  and  it  was  then 
discovered  that  she  had  sustained  no  injuries  what' 
ever,  beyond  a  slight  abrasion  of  the  skin  on  the 
forehead.  The  diameter  of  the  well  is  not  greater 
than  four  feet,  and  she  must  have  fallen  like  a  plum- 


1824.] 


LOCAL   INCIDENTS. 


309 


met  to  have  escaped  being  dashed  to  pieces  against  the 
rocky  sides,  in  her  fearful  descent.  This  well  was 
covered  over  and  converted  into  a  pit  for  draining 
the  Academy,  in  1876. 

During  the  summer  a  military  company  wa« 
Ibrnied  under  the  name  of  "Allegany  Blues."  The 
officers  chosen  were,  H.  B.  Tomlinson,  Captain; 
T  iinas  Dowden,  First  Lieutenant,  and  S.  M.  Keene, 
Ensign. 

August  26. — Hon.  John  C.  Calhoun,  Secretary  of 
War,  and  Major  Roberdeau,  of  the  Topographical 
Engineers,  arrived,  and  after  tarrying  a  few  hours, 
and  dining,  went  west  along  Will's  Creek,  to  view 
the  sunnnit  level  of  the  contemplated  route  of  the 
Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canal. 

A  line  of  coaches  to  run  between  Baltimore, 
Washington  and  Wheeling  was  established  during 
the  summer,  by  Reeside,  Moore,  Stockton  &  Co. 
Stages  left  the  two  Eastern  cities  named  at  2  A.  m., 
Sundays,  Tuesdays  and  Thursdays,  and  made  the 
trip  to  Wheeling  in  31  days.  An  accommodation 
stage  left  every  Monday,  Wednesday,  Friday  and 
Saturday,  and  went  through  by  daylight,  in  four 
days. 

At  the  election  for  Congressmen  in  October, 
Thomas  C.  Worthington  was  elected  over  John 
Lee.  The  vote  was  as  follows:  Allegany  County, 
Worthington,  669;  Lee,  510.  Washington  County, 
Worthington,  2,095;  Lee,  1,446.  Frederick  County, 
Worthington,  1,558;  Lee,  1,533.  Total,  Worthing- 
ton, 4,322;  Lee,  3,489. 
The  candidates  for  the  General  Assembly  were 


310 


HISTORY   OF    CUMBERLAND. 


[1825. 


John  A.  Hoffman,  John  McMahon,  Jacob  Lantz. 
Lewis  F.  KHpstine,  John  McNeill,  Thomas  Cresap. 
and  Samuel  Thomas.  The  first  four  named  were 
elected. 

William  McMahon  was  Sheriff'. 

Samuel  McGill,  the  Postmaster,  resigned,  and 
James  Whitehead  was  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy. 

December  1. — A  post  office  was  established  at 
Flintstone,  and  Walter  Slicer  appointed  Postmaster. 

Robert  Kenned}^  was  at  this  time  principal  of  tlu' 
Allegany  County  Academy. 

February  2,  1825. — An  act  was  passed  by  the 
Legislature,  repealing  previous  acts,  and  giving 
the  Commissioners  of  the  town  enlarged  police 
powers. 

February  5. — The  following  persons  were  appointed 
Justices  of  the  Orphans'  Court:  Thomas  Cresap. 
John  McNeill  and  Robert  Swann. 

Justicesof  the  Levy  Court:  Benjamin  TomlinHoii. 
Samuel  Coddington,  John  Burbridge,  William  Price. 
Walter  McAtee,  Valentine  Hoffman,  Benjamin 
Robinson,  Archibald  Thistle,  and  George  Rhinehart, 

March  10. — A  stage  bound  West,  when  four  miles 
east  of  Cumberland,  upset,  and  John  S.  Dugan. 
proprietor  of  a  line  of  stages  between  Wheeling  and 
Zanesville,  was  so  badly  hurt  that  he  died  in  a  few 
hours. 

The  mail  stages  during  this  summer  left  Cumber- 
land on  Tuesdays,  Thursdays  and  Saturdays  at  G  a. 
m.,  for  the  East;  and  Mondays,  Wednesdays  and 
Fridays  at  4  p.  m.,  for  the  West.  The  through  rate> 
of  fare  were  as  follows  : 


1825.]  RIVER    NAVIGATION.  311 

From  Wheeling  to  Wa.shitifrton,  Pa $  2.00 

"     Washington  to  T'niontown,  Pa 2.2.') 

"     I'niontown  to  Cumberland 4.00 

•  Cumberland  to  Hagerslown 5.00 

•  Hagerstown  to  Frederick 2.00 

••     Frederick  to  Baltimore .3.50 

i)istniiv;e  2(!7  miles.     Through SIB.?.*) 

Sunday,  May  8. — George  H.  Drake  and  Dennis 
M.  Atliey  went  hunting,  eight  miles  north  of 
(iumberland,  and  after  a  day  of  amusement  were 
returning  home,  when  a  dispute  arose  as  to  who 
should  carry  the  gun.  Drake  threatened  to  shoot 
Adiey,  and  drew  the  gun  up  to  his  side,  when  it  was 
discharged,  the  load  entering  Athey's  body  and 
killing  him  instantly.  Drake  reported  the  facts,  but 
avowed  the  killing  was  wholly  accidental,  and  that 
he  was  jesting  when  he  made  the  threat.  He  was 
arrested,  but,  on  the  Gth  of  July,  made  his  escape 
from  jail.  A  reward  of  $50  was  offered  for  his 
apprehension. 

At  this  time  a  considerable  amount  of  business 
was  done  on  the  Potomac  River,  in  the  way  of 
transporting  coal,  flour,  &c.,  by  means  of  suitable 
boats.  Coal  was  loaded  on  flat  boats  at  Cumberland, 
and  whenever  the  stage  of  water  would  permit  they 
were  floated  down  to  Georgetown.  The  place 
of  loading  was  the  ground  now  occupied  by  the  City 
Water  Works.  When  the  trade  was  first  established 
these  flat  boats  were  only  capable  of  transporting  '>00 
'nishels  of  coal,  but  as  the  river  became  known,  and 
experience  was  gained,  their  size  was  gradually 
increased  until  they  were  given  a  capacity  of  1,500 
bushels. 


312 


HISTORY  OF    CUMBERLAND. 


[1825. 


a 


Keel"  boats  were  also  built,  sharp  at  either  end, 
with  keel  and  stem  posts.  Their  greatest  length 
was  70  feet,  and  their  average  width  10  foet,  their 
freiglitage  being  from  100  to  125  barrels  of  tlour. 

These  bo«ats  were  manned  by  a  crew  of  four: 
steersman,  head  oarsman  and  two  side  oarsuieii. 
The  boat  was  floated  into  the  current,  and  wlien 
necessary  w.as  propelled  by  the  side  oarsmen,  by 
means  of  long  sweep  oars,  the  steersman  and  head 
oarsmiin  being  required  to  guide  it  through  tlu' 
difficult  channel.  The  season  for  boating  generally 
opened  in  February,  and  continued  usually  until 
the  first  of  May.  The  boats  occasionally  ran  during 
the  fall  freshets.  The  round  trip  (from  Cumljcrland 
to  Georgetown  and  return)  occupied  from  twelve 
to  eighteen  days.  The  down  trip  occupied  only 
three  days,  but  the  returr;  was  both  la)>oriouH  and 
painful,  as  most  of  the  distance  the  boat  was 
propelled  by  means  of  poles,  which  the  men  placed 
against  their  shoulders;  and  on  their  arrival  in 
Cumberland,  frequently  their  shoulders  would  be  raw 
and  sore. 

,  This  enterprise  was  attended  with  many  difficulties 
and  risks,  and  the  wreck  of  a  boat  and  the  loss  of  its 
cargo  was  a  common  occurrence.  The  devious 
channel,  hidden  rocks,  and  frequent  islands  were 
serious  obstacles.  One  of  the  most  disastrous  places 
on  the  river  was  "Cumberland  Falls,"  just  where  the 
dam  now  is.  Many  boats  were  lost  here,  and  several 
men  drowned.  The  Potomac  Company  had  done 
something  towards  lessening  the  dangers  by  plantnig 
signal    posts   to  mark  the  channel,    and    had  also 


182G.] 


LOCAL    INCIDENTS. 


313 


erected  stone  walla  as  courses,  some  of  which  may  yet 
he  seen  a  short  distiuice  below  Ciunberland.  Most  of 
the  flat  boats  taken  below,  loaded  with  coal,  were  not 
returned,  but  were  broken  up,  at  Georgetown,  and 
the  liiinber  sold. 

On  the  2d  of  March,  John  Oglebay,  who  went 
down  as  steersman  on  a  coal  boat,  was  drowned  five 
miles  below,  by  the  capsizing  of  the  boat.  lie  left  a 
wife  and  eight  children. 

July  1. — Judges  Orphans'  Court:  Thomas  Cresap, 
John  McNeill  and  Roljert  Swann. 

Justices  of  Levy  Court:  Benjamin  Tomlinson, 
Samuel  Coddington,  William  Price,  Upton  Bruce, 
Martin  Rizer,  Benjamin  Robinson,  Archibald  Thistle, 
William  McLaughlin,  Valentine  Tlofl'man  aiid  Walter 
McAtee. 

July  29. — Between  9  and  10  p.  m.  a  fire  broke  out 
in  Oustavus  Beall's  large  grist  mill;  the  small  mill, 
distillery,  two  store  houses,  two  stables,  and  several 
smaller  buildings,  as  well  as  a  frame  store  house  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  belonging  to  Hoblitzell 
k  Payne,  and  several  other  houses,  were  destroyed. 
Beall's  loss  was  $10,000;  Hoblitzell  &  Payne's  loss 
So,000.  Beall  saved  the  goods  in  his  store,  and 
opened  again  in  John  Scott's  house,  next  to  Searight's 
tavern. 

Suspicions  were  entertained  that  James  Palmer,  a 
i*ort  of  desperado,  living  some  distance  from  town,  on 
the  Virginia  side  of  the  river,  had  set  fire  to  the 
mills,  as  he  had  been  heard  to  make  threats  that  he 
would  burn  the  town.     A  party   of  citizens   went 

quietly  to  Palmer's  house  and  arrested  him.     A  lot 

40 


314 


HISTORY  OF    CUMHKHLANI). 


[1820-!^^ 


of  stolen  «j^(kk18  was  foiiml  in  his  poasesHion.  and  lie 
waH  indic-ttcl  for  arson  and  tlioft,  on  whi(;h  cliiirfjcs  lie 
was  trii'd  and  found  J2,uilty,  and  sontenced  to  fifteen 
years  in  the  penitentiary,  fifteen  months  of  wliicli 
time  was  to  be  passed  in  solitary  confinement. 

At  the  election  for  Congressmen,  in  October,  the 
(candidates  were  Michael  (J.  Spring,  Joliii  Lee. 
Thomas  Kemiedy  and  Samuel  Ilujrhes.  The  vote 
in  the  county  was  as  follows:  Spring,  1,030;  hee. 
282;  Kennedy,  41;  Ilugiies,  12.  Total  vote  of  the 
county,  1,305;  in  Cumberland,  388;  in  Frostburjr. 
205;  Flintstone,  137.  The  vote  in  the  Congressional 
District  footed  up  3,085  for  Sprigg;  2,075  for  Lee; 
()71  for  Kennedy,  and  007  for  Hughes. 

A  vote  was  taken  at  the  same  time  upon  the 
proposition  to  establish  primary  schools  in  the  county, 
Avhicli  was  defeated  by  a  vote  of  1,031  against  24(1. 

The  delegates  chosen  to  the  Assembly  were  Wni. 
Ridgely,  Jacob  Floblitzell,  Robert  Armstrong  and 
Wm.  Shaw. 

In  June,  1827,  the  following  justices  of  the 
Orphan's  Court  were  appointed:  Thomas  Cresap, 
John  McNeill  and  Robert  Armstrong. 

Justices  of  Levy  Court:  Benjamin  Tomlinson, 
Samuel  Coddington,  William  Price,  Valentine  Hoff- 
man, Archibald  Thistle,  William  McLaughlin,  Walter 
McAtee  and  Francis  Reid. 

July  27. — A  fire  broke  oi.t  in  "•Berr3''s  Row,"  on 
Bedford  street,  and  three  houses  were  destroyed,  two 
of  which  were  occupied  by  Rev.  N.  B.  Little  and 
Samuel  Magill.  J.  P.  Carleton's  house  took  fire 
several  times,  but  was  saved. 


182S.] 


LOCAL    INGIDKNTS. 


315 


October  2. — An  oloction  held,  at  vvhioli  Richard 
Ik'iiU  was  elecU'd  Sliorill',  and  John  McNt'ill,  .Jr., 
.Inliii  A.  irollinan,  .lacoh  IIolit/A'U  and  (Icorgv 
McCiilloli,  Dck'gatos  to  the  Cleneral  AHsend)ly. 

hi  the  Hprii)<5  of  1828,  an  eccentric  (dniractiM',  by 
the  name  of  Harris,  made   his   a[)pearance    in    the 
town,   and   hej^an  to  preach   on   the   street    corners, 
propiu'sying  a    terrible    cahimity   to    fall    n\Hm    the 
|i('()j)ie.      Harris    was   a    middle    aged    man,    and    a 
Quaker,  of  good  physical  proportions,  <p)iet  demeanor, 
and   Innnble    manners.     His  home  was    somewhere 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Leesbnrg,  Va.,  and  he  was 
evidently  of  unsound  mind.     After  sojourning  for  a 
while  he  took  his  departure,  but  year  after  year  he 
iiiiuk'  his  reappearance,  and  began  disrobing  himself 
and  parading  the  streets  in  a  nude  state.     On  one 
occasion  he  suddenly  made  his  appearance  in  one  of 
the  churches,  in  this  condition,  and  walked  up  the 
aisle  almost  to  the  pulpit,  belbre  the  congregation 
recovered  from  its  surprise  sufficiently  to  eject  him. 
For  this  exploit  he  was  sent  to  jail,  but  was  shortly 
afterwards  released.     His  propensity  for  walking  the 
streets   naked   led   to   his   chastisement  on    several 
occasions,  and  this  iniliction  he  bore  without  a  mur- 
mur, saying  his  mission  was  to  suffer  and  to  warn 
the  people.     It  was  finally  resolved  that  he  should 
Ik?  permitted  to  have  his  walk  out,  the  hope  being 
entertained  that  he  would  then  regard  his  mission 
as  fulfilled,  and  cease  to  annoy  the  public.     He  then 
paraded  Mechanic  street  from  Bedford  to  the  southern 
end  of  the  thoroughfare,  loudly  proclaiming  a  ^  ceat 
evil  near  at  hand,  and  in  earnest  tones  invoking  the 


:U6 


IIISTOUV    OF    CUMHKRLANI). 


[1828. 


inhahitiints  to  pri»j)iiro  for  it.  Upon  undertaking  to 
repeat  tliJH  journey,  .shortly  afterwards,  he  wjis 
arrested  and  sent  lionie  to  liis  friends  who  tiiereartcr 
jj^uarded  him  earefidly.  The  visits  of  this  sinjiiiliir 
man  extended  over  a  period  of  nearly  live  years,  and 
shortly  after  their  eessation  the  great  fire  of  I83;i 
took  phi  liieh  is  said  to  have  consumed  all  the 
houses  al(Mig  the  route  he  so  persistently  paraded. 

In  182.8,  the  Cumberland  Hotel  and  Stage  Ofiicc 
were  kept  by  Jacob  Fechtig. 

February  8.  —  "The  Civilian"  was  established 
by  Samuel  (Jharles,  as  the  organ  of  the  friends  of 
Henry  Clay,  and  was  given  its  name  of  "The  Civilian  " 
to  indicate  the  sentiment  of  its  originators  and 
supporters,  in  favor  of  a  civilian  for  the  Presidency  as 
against  Andrew  Jackson,  a  military  man. 

During  Mie  spring  of  this  year  business  on  the 
river  wi  '?ry  brisk,  over  fifty  boats  leaving  in  a 
single  weeiv,  loaded  with  coal,  flour,  bacon,  butter, 
&c.,  for  Harpers  Ferry  and  Georgetown.  Some 
2,500  barrels  of  flour  were  shipped. 

May  29 — The  town  was  brilliantly  illuminated  in 
lumor  of  the  passage  of  the  bill  by  Congress  appro- 
priating $1,000,000  towards  the  construction  of  the 
Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canal.  A  handsome  arch  was 
thrown  across  Mechanic  street,  at  the  corner  of 
Bedford  street,  and  in  the  windows  were  displayed 
the  motto,  "Gratitude  to  Charles  Fenton  Mercer. 
and  Andrew  Stuart,"  both  of  whom  were  indefati- 
gable workers  in  the  cause. 

June  8. — A  dinner  was  given  at  Black's  Hotel  to 
Hon.  Andrew  Stuart,  as  a  testimonial  to  his  services 


1828-211.] 


LOCAL    INCIDENTS. 


:U7 


iiilH.'li!ilf  of  the  public  intcrostH,  on  which  occiiHioii 
Mr.  Stuart  uuide  si  Hpecch  which  wiis  onthu.MiiiHticali y 
received. 

Septcuiher  8.  —  George  Swearingen,  Sheriff  of 
Wasiiiugton  couuty,  munU'red  liis  wile,  one  iiiik' 
above  Cresaptown  in  the  woods.  Suspicion  of  foul 
play  being  aroused,  the  body  of  the  murdered 
woman  was  disinterred  on  the  llth,  and  the  coroner'^ 
jury,  which  sat  upon  the  case  returned  the  following 
verdict : 

"After  a  curedil  and  full  lixaminatioii  of  nuimToiiH  witncssfs  we  are 
(if  opinion  that  Mary  C.  Swearin^'cii  uanio  Id  lior  death  by  the  handsi  of 
her  hiislmnd,  (icorge  Swearingen." 

Before  the  body  was  taken  up  for  examination 
Swearingen  iled,  taking  with  him  Rachael  Cunning- 
liiiiii,  with  whom  he  was  known  to  have  been  on 
unduly  intimate  terms. 

Mrs.  Swearingen  was  the  daughter  of  James  Scott, 
one  of  the  most  prominent  citizens  of  Cumberland. 
Hir  remains  were  brought  to  town  and  placed  in  the 
family  burying  ground.  She  was  a  most  estimable 
and  lovable  lady,  and  left  an  interesting  little 
flaughter. 

October  3. — William  V.  Buskirk,  William  Price, 
Joseph  Dilly  and  William  McMahon  were  elected  to 
the  Assembly. 

January  12, 1829. — .Tustices  of  the  Orphans'  Court: 
Tliomas  Cresap,  John  Scott  and  John  McNeill. 

Justices  Levy  Court:  Benj.  Tomlinson,  Samuel 
Coddington,  Walter  McAtee,  Valentine  Hofinian. 
Francis  Heed,  Arch.  Thistle,  William  McLaughlin, 
Ipton  Bruce,  Martin  Rizer,  and  John  Miller. 

March  25 — Henry  Clay  arrived  and  stopped  at 


■rJ 


318 


HISTOKY    OF    CUMBERLAND. 


[IS21I. 


Slicer's  Hotel.  Ho  was  given  a  hearty  wek^omo.  and 
an  enthusiastic  entertainment,  which  was  hirgeh 
attended.  In  the  evening  he  made  a  speech  to  the 
assembled  crowd,  and  on  the  ioHowing  day  pursued 
uis  journey. 

March  27. — News  was  received  of  the  arrest  of 
George  Swearingen,  which  took  place  in  New 
Orleans,  on  the  17th  of  February.  On  his  escape 
the  Governor  of  i'ilaryhind  had  oflered  $300  for  liis 
capture.  Swearingen  had  disguised  himself  and 
cha^iged  his  name  to  Thomas  Martin.  He  made  his 
way  to  the  Ohio  river,  and  there  got  aboard  a  Hat 
boat  bound  for  N(»w  Orleans.  He  was  armed  with  a 
rifle,  pocket  pistols,  and  a  large  dagger.  He  had 
been  in  New  Orleans  several  days  before  he  was 
discovered.  One  day  he  walked  into  a  store  kept  by 
a  man  named  Sloo,  for  the  purpose  of  making  sonu' 
purcliases,  and  it  happened  that  John  V.  L.  Ramsay. 
a  Marylander,  who  knew  him,  was  in  the  store  at 
the  time.  Ramsey  at  once  recognized  Swearingen. 
m  spite  of  his  disguise,  and  without  delay  lodged 
information  with  the  Mayor.  Ollicers  were  at  once 
put  upon  his  track,  and  followed  him  to  a  flat  boat 
where  they  saw  him  go  through  a  hole  in  the  roof,  te 
the  corn,  with  which  the  boat  was  laden.  The 
officers  quickly  followed  him  in,  whereupon  Swear- 
ingen started  up  and  drew  his  dirk,  but  pistols  beini: 
leveled  at  him.  he  surrendered,  and  was  bountl.  .Vi 
first  he  denied  his  identity,  but  when  facet,  by 
Ramsay,  he  no  longer  attempted  concealment. 

Sw<'aringen  was  taken  to  Baltimore,  on  the  brii; 
Arctic,  arriving  there  April  2M.     He  had  a  hearing 


18211-30.] 


LOCAL    INCIDENTS. 


;U9 


iu'lbiv  ii  city  niajiistrato,  and  was  comniittod  to  jail 
to  await  removal  to  A.llogany  comity,  the  scone  of 
his  crime. 

A  special  term  of  Court  was  convened  in  August, 
lor  the  purpose  of  trying  Swearingen.  On  the  Ditli 
of  August  a  jury  was  obtained,  and  the  trial  com- 
menced. The  Prosecuting  Attorney  was  Mr.  Dixon; 
Counsel  for  the  deiense,  William  Van  IJuskirk, 
William  McMahon,  and  William  Price,  all  ahle 
lawyers.  On  the  bench  were  Chief  Judge  J.  Buch- 
aniui.  and  Associate  Judges  T.  Buchanan  and  A. 
Sliriver.  The  case  was  not  concluded  until  the  22(1, 
when  the  jury  retired  and  returned  in  fifteen  minutes, 
witn  a  verdict  of  "guilty  of  murder  in  the  first 
ik'iiive."  The  Court  sentenced  the  prisoner  to  bo 
hiinircd  on  the  2d  of  October. 

Ootober  2. — An  iunnense  crowd  of  people  came 
intt)  the  town,  from  every  direction,  to  witness  the 
terrible  vengeance  of  the  law.  The  place  of  execu- 
tion was  on  the  flat  ground  on  the  West  side  of  the 
Creek.  Swearingen  was  peiiectly  calm  and  collected, 
iiiul  said  he  had  no  fear  of  death.  Rev.  Mr.  Miller,  of 
We.sternport,  was  with  him,  administering  spiritual 
comfort.  Volunteer  mili^^ia  companies  were  present 
from  yi'dtbrd  and  Somerset,  Pa.,  as  also  the  Wash- 
ington Guards,  of  Cuudjerland.  The  number  of 
people  assembled  was  estimated  at  4,000.  The 
fxecution  was  speedily  accomplished,  and  the  body 
..ivcM  to  its  friends. 

thi  New  Year's  Day,  ISoO,  the  people  of  this 
>t'i'ti(iii  of  country  had  a  "graiul  circular  hunt." 
Hu'  lirst  briuad*.  embraced  the  countrv  from   Cum- 


•^i^jj-^fe- 


320 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLANF). 


[1830. 


})erland  to  the  mouth  of  Jennings  Run.  Tlie  second 
brigade,  from  Jenning's  Run  up  the  road  to  Cornelius 
Devore'.s  Mill,  on  Will's  Creek.  Third  brigade,  from 
Devore's  Mill  across  to  Frederick  Rice's  in  Casli 
Valley.  Fourth  brigade  from  Frederick  Rice's  alouL^ 
the  Bedford  Road  to  Cumberland.  About  one 
hundred  persons  participated  in  the  hunt,  and  a 
large  amount  of  game  was  taken. 

Justices  Orphans  Court:  Thomas  Crcsap,  John 
Scott  and  George  Iloblitzell. 

Justices  Levy  Court:  Joshua  O.  Robinson,  Joseph 
Frantz,  George  Blocher,  William  McLaughlin,  Jacob 
Iloleman,  John  Mattingly,  Thomas  D.  Beall,  Walter 
Bevans,  Henry  Myers,  and  Jasper  Robinette. 

Surveyor:     Benjamin  Brown. 

At  the  census  taken  in  1880,  William  McMahon 
De})uty  Marshal,  the  population  of  the  town  ot 
Cumberland  was  as  follows: 


Males. 

Females. 

Total 

Under 

i)  years 
'ears  o 

of 

ntrp 

H-1 

71 

153 

Of    5  y 

f  age 

and 

under 

10 

years  62 

7(> 

1.^8 

ono' 

■1 

(i 

ti 

15 

It 

74 

;w 

113 

Of  If) 

it 

It 

li 

20 

ti 

72 

70 

142 

Of  20 

ti 

It 

t> 

:^o 

It 

91 

78 

169 

Of  30 

(t 

It 

(1 

40 

It 

ofi 

5:^ 

101) 

or  40 

it 

It 

it 

50 

it 

44 

.1(5 

80 

Of  50 

(1 

ti 

It 

(JO 

ti 

18 

33 

51 

Ot  (50 

It 

it 

11 

70 

it 

11 

01) 

20 

Of  70 

*i 

it 

>t 

80 

it 

7 

8 

15 

Of  80 

41 

It 

(1 

1)0 

it 

5 

2 
475 

7 

522 

!»1)7 

Slaves 

.     4(; 
.     1.') 

83 
21 

12!» 

Free  colored.. 

.... 

.... 

.... 

30 

58H 


579 


1162 


The  population  of  Allegany  County  was  10,590. 
February  28. — A  little  .son  of  George  Kearn.s,  four 


1830-j1.] 


LOCAL    INCIDENTS. 


321 


years  of  age,  fell  into  tlio  well  at  the  jail,  a  depth  of 
iiinoty  leet,  and  was  instantl>'  killed. 

March  18, — The  Western  stage  while  leaving  town 
run  off  the  road  and  upset.  Bisliop  Chase,  of  Ohio. 
apaf^Hcnger,  was  badly  injured,  having  three  of  his  ribs 
broken,  and  his  left  arm  dislocated.  He  remained 
hero  until  his  recovery,  and  preached  at  the  (^hurch 
on  Fort  Hill. 

April  20. — The  new  Episcopal  Chur'oh,  on  Fort 
Hill,  was  consecrated  by  Bisliop  Meadj,  of  Virginia. 

At  the  election  in  October,  William  McMahon, 
William  Kidgely,  William  Shaw,  and  William  Reid, 
wvw  t'lected  to  the  Oeneral  Assembly,  and  Mr. 
Rinvliiigs  Sheriff. 

October  28. — The  "Advocate"  was  sold  by  John 
M.  Buchanan  to  Kichard  P.  Bailey  and  Daniel 
Bloclier. 

November  22. — George  Jacobs,  of  Hampshire 
('ounty,  Va..  aged  50  years,  wjis  found  dead  on  the 
Ci'e8a})t()wn  Road,  the  result  of  an  accident. 

December  10  —The  Cumberland  Fire  Engine 
Company  was  organized,  at  Newnam's  Hot^l. 

December  17. — John  Custer  was  found  frozen  to 
death,  on  the  Cresaptown  road. 

January  14, 1 831. — Snow  fell  to  a  depth  of  twenty- 
t'lur  inches,  and  travel  was  almost  suspended,  as  the 
roiids  were  blocked. 

•lanuary  20. — A  public  meeting  was  held,  and  Dr. 
^.  P.  Smith,  Janu^s  Everstine,  David  Shriver,  Jacob 
'^nydor  and  John  Hays  were  appointed  a  committee 
to  petition  Congress  for  aii  appropriation  to  improve 
tlie  Cumberland  Road. 


^99 


HISTORY  OF    CUMBERLAND. 


[1831. 


Justices  of  the  Orphans'  Court:  Thomas  Cresap. 
John  McNeill  .and  John  Scott. 

The  popuhition  of  the  county  was  at  this  time 
10,602. 

A  fire  company  was  formed,  in  February,  and  sup- 
plied with  ladders  for  use  in  case  of  fire.  Two  ladders 
were  kept  against  Hook's  fence,  corner  Centre  and 
Frederick  streets,  and  two  against  Shriver's  shed, 
over  the  mill  race,  on  the  turnpike. 

August  2.  —Two  railroads  were  put  in  operation 
in  Allegany  County,  one  at  the  coal  mine  of  William 
Ward,  and  the  other  at  the  mine  of  John  Porter, 
both  within  ten  miles  of  Cumberland.  They  were 
about  one  hundred  yards  in  length,  the  rails  being 
of  wood,  and  the  wheels  of  the  cars  of  cast  iron. 
The  cars  were  drawn  by  horse  power. 

Bene  S.  Pi^^nian  was  elected  to  the  Senate,  in  the 
fall,  and  William  Armstrong  and  Thomas  Blair  (anti- 
Jackson)  and  George  M.  Swann  and  Jacob  Lantz, 
(Jackson)  elected  Delegates  to  the  Legislature. 

Francis  Thomas  was  elected  to  Congress  by  a 
majority  of  601  over  Michael  C.  Sprigg. 

October  15. — The  Synod  of  the  Lutheran  Church 
of  Maryland  assembled  in  Cumberland. 

George  Smith  was  appointed  Collector  of  Taxes, 
and  Aza  Beall,  Clerk  of  the  Court. 

November  24. — Public  notice  was  given  that  the 
proprietors  of  coal  mines  in  Allegany  County,  and  all 
other  persons  interested  in  procuring  a  charter  for  a 
railroad  from  the  coal  mines  to  Cumberland  would 
meet  in  Frostburg,  to  consider  the  project,  and  agree 
upon  a  route.  ,  ' 


■.Y.^Tr-^r.^ 


m¥^ 


1831-32.] 


LOCAL    INCIDENTS. 


32n 


December  1.  —  Henry  Clay  arrived,  en  route 
to  Washington,   and    had    a    reception    during   his 

stay. 

February  G,  1832. — A  good  wtage  of  water  in  the 
river,  and  forty  loaded  boats  left. 

February  22. — This  being  the  centennial  anni- 
versary of  Washington's  birth-day,  the  event  was 
celebrated  with  unusual  enthusiasm. 

February  4. — .Justices  of  Orphans'  Court:  Thomas 
Cresap,  John  McNeill,  Sr.,  and  John  Scott. 

()ctol)er  2. — Andrew  Bruce,  Jacol)  Lantz.  Moses 
H.  Louthan  and  John  Slicer  were  elected  to  the 
Leiiislature. 

Octoljer  14. — The  stiible  and  carriage  house  of 
Kliiatlian  Russell  were  destroyed  l)y  fire,  and  several 
dwellings  in  the  neighborhood  were  with  difficulty 
saved.  The  firo  was  caused  by  a  burning  cigar  being 
thrown  into  the  stable. 

October  18. — A  meeting  was  held  at  Jacob  Fechtig's 
tavern  in  Cumberland,  with  a  view  to  securing  the 
construction  of  a  turnpike  from  Cumberland  to  inter- 
sect the  Cumberland  and  SiHuerset  Road  at  the 
Pennsylvania  line.  A  number  of  persons  from 
Somerset  were  present,  and  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  draft  a  petition  to  the  Legislature  asking  authority 
for  the  construction  of  the  road, 

October  22, — Great  fears  were  entertained  that 
the  cholera,  which  prevailed  elsewhere,  might  visit 
the  town,  in  consequence  of  which  a  meeting  was 
held  at  the  Union  Hotel,  when  it  was  resolved  to  at 
once  prepare  a  building  to  be  used  as  a  hospital,  and 
to  procure  contributions  for  the  purpose  of  supplying 


'^24 


iriSTORV    OF   CUMHERLANI>. 


[183:i 


food,   merlicino,   &c.     Fortunately  the  epidemic  did 
not  make  itw  a{)})earance. 

February  (>,  1888. — Justices  Orphans'  Court: 
Thomas  Cresap,  John  McNeill  and  George  Hehh. 

Manili  22. — A  new  assessment  of  the  real  and 
personal  property  having  been  determined  upon, 
Thomas  Wilson,  John  Sheer,  Stephen  Mulhollan, 
James  Totten,  John  Nell',  Jr.,  Joseph  Everstine, 
George  P.  llinkle,  Israel  Mayberry,  Lecmard  Siiir- 
clift",  and  Amos  Robinette,  were  appointed  assessors. 

April  14. — A  terrible  calamity  befell  the  town,  on 
this  date,  whereby  the  greater  part  of  the  inhabitants 
were  in  a  few  short  hours  rendered  homeless.  It 
was  Sunday,  and  the  bells  were  calling  the  people  to 
church,  at  10  o'clock  in  the  morning,  when  the  start- 
ling cry  of  "fire"  was  given.  A  volume  of  smoke 
was  seen  issuing  from  the  cabinet  shop  of  William 
Sliryer,  on  Mechanic  street.  An  excited  multitude 
of  people  quickly  gathered  at  the  scene  of  the  fire. 
and  endeavored  to  stay  it,  but  in  vain,  as  the  dry 
wooden  building,  and  its  highly  inflammable  contents 
furnished  rich  food  for  the  eager  flames.  The  wind 
blew  quite  strong  from  the  west,  and  the  means  for 
suppressing  fires  being  of  the  most  inadequate 
character,  in  a  short  while  the  houses  adjoining 
became  ignited,  and  the  roaring  flames  went  leaping, 
flashing  and  surging  down  the  street,  enveloping 
house  after  house,  in  quick  succession,  until  every 
building  from  the  place  of  the  origin  of  the  fire  to 
Russell's  carriage  shop,  near  Harrison  street,  a 
distance  of  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  was  involved 
in  the  general  ruin.     When  it  became  apparent  that 


1S33.] 


TIIK     (JKKAT    FIRE. 


iiotliiiiir  could  be  done  t<>  check  the  conflagration,  the 
people  at  once  went  to  work  to  save  the  contents  of  the 
stores  and  houses,  but  even  in  this  they  were  able  to 
ito  but  little,  owing  to  the  great  rapiditj'  with  which 
the  Haines  spread. 

Tiie  destruction  of  both  the  newspapers  of  the 
town  prevented  any  detailed  account  of  the  disaster 
from  being  published  here  at  the  time,  and  when  the 
pajiers  had  been  re-established  it  did  not  occur  to 
the  pul)lishers  to  give  a  minute  history  of  it.  The 
following  letter  appeared  in  the  Hagerstown  "Herald 
and  Torch  Light,"  several   lays  after  the  misfortune  : 

Cumukkland,  April  15,1833. 
Seventy-five  houses  comprisinj;^  the  heart  of  our  town  now  lie  in 
ruins.  The  fire  originated  in  a  cabinet  maker's  shop,  three  doors  north 
iftiie  "Civilian"  printing  office.  Many  citizens  have  nothing  left.  The 
"Civilian"  office  is  burnt,  except  its  account  books.  All  the  stores  but 
onp  are  burnt — Bruce  tt  Beall's.  Mr.  Shriver's  large  3-story  tavern. 
Mr.  Fechtig's  tavern  and  the  Bank.  'I'he  fire  commenced  at  10  o'clock, 
am]  the  wind  being  high,  the  flames  soon  spread,  leaving  ^ttle  time  to 
move  goods.  Nothing  now  remains  but  parts  of  walls  and  chimneys, 
^bereoncp  the  principal  part  of  the  town  stood.  The  "Advocate"  office 
also  burnt,  saving  only  the  cast  iron  press  (badly  damaged)  and  a  few 
type.  The  ruins  commence  at  Mr,  (rustavus  Beall's  mill,  and  extend 
iown  to  Mr.  Elnathan  Russell's  carriage  shop;  the  mill  and  Russell's 
house  are  saved,  but  on  both  sides  of  the  street,  between  these  there  is 
not  one  house  standing — distance  about  j  mile.     The  principal  suft'erere 


are; 

'ieorge  Hoblitzell,  3  or  4  houses, 

•lames  Kverstine,  3  houses, 

I'r.  Lawrence,  1  house, 

''leorge  Wineow,  1  house, 

B.  S.  Pigman  2  houses, 

Lowndes  1  store, 

•'ohn  T.  Sigler,  2  houses, 

Ifi'c.Inhn  Scott,  1  house, 

I'r  S.  P.  Smith  &  R.  Worthington, 

•i  houses, 
Bank  property,  3  or  4  houses, 
Henry  Wineow,  1  house  and  fL-'iOO 

I'ash. 


J.  M.  Buchanan,  1  house, 
George  Hoffrrian,  2  houses, 
Shriver,  I!  houses, 
Mrs.  Gephart,  1  house, 
Dr.  J.  M.  Smith,  2  houses, 
Samuel  Hoblitzell,  1  house, 
George  Hebb,  2  houses, 
Thomas  Dowden  2  houses, 
George  Deetz,  1  liouse, 
S,  Bowden,  1  house. 
John  G.  Hoffman,  2  houses, 
Butler's  store,  2  houses, 
Robert  McCleary  3  or  4  houses, 


m^^ms 


82G 


HISTORY    OF   CUMBEKLANI). 


[1833. 


Adam  Fisher, )  or  2  houses.  Robert  8wnnn,'2  houses, 

Ciptiiiii  Lynn,  1   house,  Mrs.  Siiylor,  1  house. 

Martin  Rjzer  of  M.,  1  house, 

Besides  others,  mostly  brick  houses,  and  two  story  log  buildings. 

At  a  meeting  at  the  Court  House,  in  Cumberland,  composed  of  the 

citizens  of  the  town,  the  Court,  the   Bar  and  Juries,  as8enil)led  on  the 

15th  of  April,  for  the  purpose  of  instituting  an  inquiry  into  the  extent  of 

the  calamity  occasioned  by   the  late  destructive  fire,  and  of  devisini; 

means  for  the  relief  of  the  sufferers,  the  following  proceedings  were  had: 

Upon  motion  of  \Vm.  Price,  Esq.,  the  Hon.  John  Buchanan,  Chiei 
Justice  of  Maryland,  was  appointed  Chairman,  who  in  a  feeling  and 
appropriate  address  explained  the  object  of  the  meeting.  I'pon  motion 
of  John  Hoyo,  Esij.,  Wra.  Price  was  appointed  Secretary.  Upon  motion 
of  Bene  S.  Pigman,  the  chair  appointed  the  following  Committee,  to 
enquire  into  the  extent  of  the  calamity  occasioned  l)y  the  late  fire. 
together  with  the  niimber  and  description  of  the  sufferers,  and  report 
thereon  to  the  meeting,  viz :  John  McHenry,  Thomas  1  McKaig,  ,\. 
W.  McDonald,  \Vm.  Price,  B.  S.  Pigman,  David  Shriver,  (ieorge  Hebli, 
Df.  Samuel  P.  Smith,  .lolin  Hoye,  Dr.  .John  M.  Lawrence,  Dr.  .lames 
Smith,  David  Lynn,  Robert  Swann,  and  Richard  Beall,  who  havinj 
retired  for  the  purpose,  afterwards  returned  and  submitted  the  followin;: 
report : 

The  committee  appointed  to  ascertain  the  calamity  by  which  the  town 
has  been  visited,  together  with  the  number  and  description  of  the  sufferers 
have  in  the  execution  of  the  tuelancholly  duty  assigned  them,  ascertained 
the  following  particulars  for  the  information  of  the  meeting: 

It  is  ascertained  that  the  entire  business  portion  of  Cumberland  has 
been  destroyed.  All  the  taverns,  and  all  the  stores  in  the  place,  bnt  om', 
are  now  in  ashes;  about  thir':y  flourishing  mechanics,  all  in  prosperous 
business,  have  been  reduced  to  ruin,  and  their  families  left  without  a 
shelter  to  cover  them.  The  three  physicians  of  the  town  have  lost  nearly 
all  their  property  and  medicines.  It  is  believed  that  two  thirds  of  thi" 
inhabitants  are  houseless. 

The  value  of  property  destroyed    and   the  description  of  citizens  to 
whom  it  belonged,  the  committee  have  estimated  an(i  classed  as  follows 
7  Merchants,  whose  loss   in  real  and  personal  property 

and  goods  is  estimated  at $i)4,000 

:i  Physicians 12,000 

!5  Hotels,  including  the  losses  of  the  owners MfiW 

80  Mechanics,  (real  and  personal  property,   stock,  &c)..    71,000 

Citizens  not  included  in  above  description 31,000 

Citizens  not  residing  in  the  town 14,000 


Total  loss $262,000 

Upon  motion  of  Mr.   Pigman,  a  committee  was   appointed  to  draft 

an  address  to  the  people  of  the  United  States,  inviting  their  aid  in  behalf 

of  the  Cumberland  sufferers.     Upon  motion  of  Mr.  Pigman,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  Chairman  of  the  present  meeting  be  the  Chairman 
of  said  committee.  The  following  gentlemen  compose  the  committee: 
Hon.  John  Buchanan,  Hon.  Thomas  Buchanan,  Hon.  Abraham  Shriw  ] 


1833.] 


THE   GREAT    FIRE. 


327 


A.  VV.  Mcl)<)iiHld,  John  McHenry,  Wm.  Price,  James  Dixon,  Frederick 
A.Schley,  and  .John  Kinfr,  Escjs. 

Tpon  motion  the  following  gentlemen,  residents  of  Cumberland,  >vho 
are  not  sufferers  by  the  fire,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  receive 
donations,  distribute  them,  and  of  correspondence,  viz  ;  John  Hoye, 
Thomas  I.McKaig,  Richard  Bell,  Rev.  Jj.  ILJohns,  Wm.  McMahon  and 
Jatnes  P.  Carleton. 

Upon  motion  of  Thomas  I.  McKaig,  Esq.,  it  was  unanimously 

Rexohed,  That  the  thanks  of  the  meeting  are  due  to  the  Hon.  John 
Buchanan,  for  the  dignified  and  able  manner  in  which  he  presided  over 
its  deliberations. 

ITpon  motion  of  Mr.  Buchanan,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting  be  signed  by  the 
Chairman  and  Sacretary  and  published. 

John  Buchanan,  Chairman, 
WiLi-iAM  PuiCE,  Secretary. 

N.  B. — There  being  now  no  press  in  Cumberland  the  proceedings  are 
forwarded  to  Hagerstown  fur  publication. 

The  fact  that  the  scope  of  the  fire  embraced  that 
part  of  Mechanic  street,  along  which  the  demented 
Quakerj  Harris,  had  so  often  walked  while  predicting 
a  terrible  calamity  to  befall  the  town,  led  many 
persons  to  conclude  that  the  old  man  really  had 
possessed  some  powers  as  a  prophet,  and  the  su{)er- 
stitious  were  thoroughly  convinced  that  he  had  been 
ant  by  some  supernatural  power  as  a  messenger  to 
warn  the  people  of  "wrath  to  come." 

The  following  is  a  full  list  of  the  persons  who 
sustained  losses  in  the  disastrous  fire,  14th  of  April: 

'ieorge  Hoblitzell,   losi  6    houses, ^Jonathan   Butler,  store   goods   and 

store  poods  and  house  furniture.         furniture, 
'ieorwe  Wineow  1  houso,  Edward    Johnson,  household    furni- 

Wm.  Shryer,  stock  and  furniture,     '      ture, 
■loseph  Everstine,3  houses,  furniture,  J.  G.   Hoffman,   2  houses,   tinware 

shoes  and  leather,  i     and  furniture, 

Charles  Howell,  house  furniture,       i  Dr.  S.  P.  Smith,  2  houses,  medicines 
•lohn  Gephart,  2  houses,  and  furniture, 

^WdowSaylor,  1  house,  deo.  Hoffman,  ;5  houses   and  furni- 

A.  King  and   family,  clothing  and       ture. 

luriiiture,  J.  M.  Buchanan,  1  house, 


"iddw  Anders,  furniture,  &c., 
l'r.J.Siiiith,2  houses,medicines,  &c., 


G.  S.  Evans,  furniture  and  $800  in 
money, 
"hn  Rutter,  house    furniture   and  |  Widow  Frilhey,!  house  and  furniture 
leather,  'S.  Bowden,  1  house, 


328 


IlkSTOKY    OF    CUMBEHLANt). 


[1838. 


UohfTt  Swann,  '2  hoiiHOS, 

Diivid  Shrivcr,  li  houHcs, 

•lolin  MurroH'H  lioirs,  2  liouaoa, 

I'i.  Mobley,  I'urriiture,  tools  and 
wagon  stud', 

M.  Uizer,  of  M.,  1  house  and  furni- 
ture, 

Kersliner's  heirs,  1  iiouHe, 

Geo.  Deetz,  1  iiouse  and  furniture, 

Geo.  Lowdermilii,  house  furniture, 

John  Ueotz,  house  furniture, 

Widow  (iephart,  1  house  and  furni- 
ture. 

Widow  Of^lebay,  t  irniture, 

R.  McCleary,  7  houses,  tools,  stock 
and  furniture, 

Blocher  &  Harry,  1  printing  press, 
type  and  ofHco  furniture. 

John  Cress,  bl.'ieksmith  tools  and 
iron, 

Post  odice, ''urniture  and  papers, 

David  Lynn,  1  house, 

iTatnoH  Sires,  furniture  and  tools. 

Widow  ''■'oontz,  2  houses, 

Sarah  Koontz,  furniture, 

M.  Fi.shor,  2  houses,  furniture  and 
stock, 

John  B^isber,  $r>00  in  money, 

Wm.  Fisher,  .f  100  in  money, 

H.  Wineow,  1  house,  grain,  furni- 
ture and  $1,000. 

Thos.  Dowden,  1  house,  shop,  fur- 
niture and  tools, 

.lari.  Hlack,  grain  and  furniture, 

The  Dank,  t!  houses, 

Jacob  Fechtig,  furniture,  &c., 

S.  Slicer,  furniture,  &c.. 

Widow  Scott,  furniture,  &c.; 

John  Scott's  heirs.  2  houses, 

George  Ilebb,  2  houses,  with  furni- 
ture and  goods, 

A.  McNeill,  tools  and  jewelry, 
John  Wright,  tools,  jewelry  and  fur- 
niture, 

B.  Mattingly,  furniture  and  cloth, 

James  Reeside,  who  was  for  a  number  ol"  yoarf^ 
largely  engaged  in  the  stage-coach  business  on  the 
Cumberland  Road,  upon  hearing  of  the  disaster, 
caused  his  son  to  write  the  foUowing  hotter  to  the 
Postmaster  here : 


R.  Worthiugton,  I   house,  lurniturf 

and  goods, 
Smith,  Worthiugton  &,  Co.,  1  liouse. 
J.  F.    Sigler,  1   house,  saddlery  anil 

furniture. 
Dr.  Ijawrence,    I    house,  inediciiie. 

and  furniture, 
Messrs.  Lowndes,  I  house  and  sinri . 

gootls,  furniture  and  $700, 
S,  lloblitzell,  furniture,  &c., 
B.  S.  Pigman, ;{  houses, 
1'.  A.S.  Piguian,  furniture, 
S.  Pritchard,  tools  and  clothiii;;, 
\j.  W.Stockton,  2  mail  coacheH, 
J.  W.  Weaver,  1  mail  coach, 
H.  D.  Carleton,  furniture,  Ac, 
Eleanor  Merryman,  clothing, 
John  Beall,  clothing, 
.lohn  P.  Lowdermilk,  clothnig, 
Sophia  tlohnson,  clothing, 
Klizabeth  Bevans,  clothing, 
H.  B.  Wolfe,  tcxils,  books  ami  t'urin 

tare, 
Samuel  Charles,  The   Civilian  oIKn- 

entire, 
J.  Wolf,  tools,  leather  and  shoes, 
J.  Marr, tools,  A:c., 
II.  Smouse,  1  carryall, 
T.  Adams,  furniture,  & 
B.  W.  Howard,  furniture,  &u., 
W.  \'.  Buskirk, furniture,  law  libran 

and  papers, 
Bruce  &  Beall.part  of  stock  of  good,*. 
Krebs  &  Falls,  store  goods  ami  fur 

niture, 
S.  &  G.  Shockey,  hats,  fur  and  tools. 
John  M.  Carleton,  clothing,  &c., 
Nancy  Davis,  clothing,  &c., 
Edmund  Hoffman,  furniture,  &c., 
W.  W.  Weaver,  furnit\ire,  &c., 
Wm.  Hoblitzell,  clothing,  &c., 
M.  Rizer,  Jr.,  a  lot  of  bacon.  Ac, 
,\.  B.  Wright,  money  and  clothinf.'. 
Louthan  &  Utfutt,  stock  of  goo(ls,ic. 


1833.] 


THE   TfREAT    FIRE. 


329 


riiii.ADKM'iUA,  April  l.S,  IS'.V.i. 

J.  p.  Carleton,  Esq.,  I\  M.,  Cnml)crl'ind,  Md. 

DkarHir:  It  is  with  regret  that  we  have  this  diiy  heard  the  Had 
news  of  the  coiiflftijration  at  Cumberland,  that  once  flourishinj^  town,  and 
the  loss  and  cotidition  of  ita  inhabitants,  anionp  whom  we  lived  so  lon<^. 
My  fiither  is  contined  to  his  bed,  and  not  able  to  write,  but  rtiquests  to  say 
to  you  that  one  half  of  all  his  property,  in  the  town  of  Cumberland  situated 
on  the  west  side  of  Will's  Creek,  shall  be  sold  for  the  benefit  of  the 
sufferers;  he  also  requests  me  to  say  to  you,  as  soon  us  a  committee  is 
appointed  for  their  relief,  he  will  immeiliately  transfer  the  property  by 
deed  or  otherwise  for  that  purpose.     Yours  with  respect, 

Jamks  Rkksuik,  Jr. 

linniodiate  steps  were  taken  for  the  relief  of  the 

.siill'erers,  and  from  all  parts  of  the  country  eontril)ii- 

tions  weix;  received.     Up  to  June,  |il5,OI)0,  had  been 

distributed  amongst  them.     Those  who  could  aflord 

to  do  so,  set  about   rebu'dding.  and   the   new   houses 

wore  "vnerallv  of  M  much  better  chnracter  than  tliosr 

(k'sti'o\ed. 

July  4. — The  celebration   of    Independence  Day 

was  marked  by  a  feast  in   McCleary's  Hollow,  when 

Jaines    P.    Carleton,    Jr.,    delivered     the    oration. 

Workmen  were  at  this  time  engaged  in  building  the 

National  Road,  and  those  cm})ioyed  at  the  "Narrows.'* 

placed  a  Hag  on  the  top  of  the  tallest  tree  on   Will's 

Mountain,  fi'om  which  it  iloated  for  many  days. 

In  Jul V  "The  Civilian"  ollice   was  located  in  the 

new  building  on  Mechanic  street  below  the  Cumber- 

laiid  Bank,  which  had  also  been  rebuilt,  (the  old  brick 

walls  being  used,)  and  its  publication  recommenced 

1)\  Sanuiel  Charles,  who  then  called  his  paper  "•The 

Phoenix  Civilian." 

July  13. — Messrs.  Ducatel,  Tyson,  and  Alexander, 

I't   Baltimore,    who    had    been     ai)pointed    by  the 

Governor  to  collect  information,  plats,  and  reports  of 

><iuvey8.  with  a  view  of  publishing  an  accurate  map 
42 


380  HIST(»KY    OK    CUMHEKLANI).  [1833. 

of  Maryland,  and  to  make  gt^ological  reHoarcheM, 
arrived  here.  They  went  to  the  western  part  of  the 
county,  and  on  their  return  explored  the  coal  !vgion 
about  Frostburg. 

July  25. — The  work  on  that  portion  of  the  new 
location  of  the  National  Road,  from  the  town  ot 
Cumberland  to  the  site  ehosen  for  the  bridge  over 
Will's  Creek  at  the  "Narrows,"  was  suspended,  in 
consequence  of  its  supposed  interference  with  the 
route  of  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canal. 

The  following  is  the  report  made  by  the  Assessors 
of  the  real  and  personal  property  in  Allegany  county, 
assessed  under  the  act  of  1832: 

Real.  Personal.  Total. 

District  No.  1 *r20,t;2H  oS  *.X''>.17!t  30  ^IjW.RO?  kh 

"     2 t;i.«yi  (12  41,047   7j  lOH.lKii*  :i: 

"         "     :5 107,8!»l  :{8  2H,t;81   .50  i:t(;,")72  S(^ 

"       "    i iio,.")40  ;u;  4y,2!)i  00  it;i.8:{i  ;«; 

"         '•     .'» 105,344  (J2  44,579  00  149.92;n;j 

"         "  "(i i70,(i52  17  4H,0()t;  00  218.718  K 

Cumberland  Town* i;{(;,!)52  44  ;}(;,8:{0  00  173,782  44 

Pistrict  No.  7 77,822  75  .33,9(i2  00  111,784  75 

"     8 »;.5,187  73  18,527  50  83.715  21', 

"     9 98,457  90  37,41150  135,869  40 

.'!il,0()3,369  55         $373,575  55        $l,43(;,y45  10 

Mechanic  street,  from  the  mill  race,  at  the  Rail- 
road viaduct,  was  paved  by  the  Government,  under 
the  direction  of  Lieutenant  Pickett,  the  engineer  in 
charge  of  the  w(jrk  on  the  National  Road  at  thi.** 
place. 

October  4. — At  the  election  for  Congress,  Francis 
Thomas  and  James  Dixon  were  the  candidates,  the 
former  receiving  4,012  votes,  and  the  latter  3,421 
votes,  ill  the  District. 

October  8. — A  town  meeting  was  held  at  the  Court 

•District  No.  6  and  (Tiimbcrland  Town  were  biith  included  in  Cumberland. 


[18.U 


1833.] 


liOCAl,    INGIDKNTS. 


381 


'searches, 
art  of  the 
jal  ivgion 

f  tlie  new 
B  town  of 
•idge  over 
xuided,  In 
with  the 

I  Assessors 
ny  county. 

Total. 

$l.').'),807  HH 

lOB.'jii'J  :i: 

i:Ui,572  Hf 

i(;i.8:n  'm> 

lt'J,y23  CJ 
218.718  i: 
17;U82  44 
111,784  75 
8:1.715  2;i 
ia.'),869  40 

|$l,4;i(;,945  10 

the  Rail- 
lent,  under 
Ingineer  in 
lid  at  this* 

^s,  Francis 
idates,  the 
|tt«r  3,421 

the  Court 


House,  to  raise  funds  for  the  relief  of  .lames  Stoddard. 
whose  liouse,  near  flrantsville.  was  destroyed  by 
fire,  on  the  4th,  together  with  its  (Hjntents. 

October  l"). — Henry  Sniitli,  an  aged  and  respected 
citizen,  was  found  dead  near  his  home,  seven  miles 
east  of  Cuml)erland. 

Delegates  to  the  Legislatuit; :  Norman  JJruce, 
William  Ridgely,  Jeremiah  Berry,  Jr..  and  Jacob 
Lantz. 

(k^tober  19. — A  new  two-story  log  house,  belonging 
to  Martin  Rizer,  Jr.,  on  South  Mechanic  street,  was 
burned  out,  but  the  logs  were  not  destroyed. 

October  20  — A  public  meeting  w  as  held  to  devise 
means  for  aiding  the  peoi)l('  ol'  Sonu'r.set,  Pa.,  who 
had  suffered  by  a  destructive  fire  in  the  town,  wliich 
involved  a  loss  of  1^100.000.  More  than  thirty 
families  had  been  rendered  homeless.  The  sum  of 
S'200  was  collected  and  donated. 

October  20. — All  the  prisoners  in  the  jail  escaped, 
1)}'  digging  a  hole  through  the  wall,  near  a  window. 

November  19. — The  entire  population  w^as  in  a 
high  state  of  excitement,  cimsequent  upon  the  falling 
of  a  shower  of  meteorites. 

November  22. — A  public  meeting  to  hear  the  final 
report  as  to  the  action  of  the  Conmiittee  of  Distribu- 
tion, for  the  relief  of  the  sufferers  by  the  fire  of 
Uth  of  April,  was  held  at  the  Court  House. 
The  ('Ommittee  reported  that  it  had  rectuved  in 
money  $20,684.98.  From  the  people  of  Maryland 
^9.972.00.  From  Pennsylvania  $7,239.89.  District 
of  Columbia  $870.76.  Virginia  $1,075.50.  Miscel- 
laneous  $1,526.12.     Also   a   quantity    of    clothing, 


laBBI 


:^32 


HISTORY   OF    CUMREHLAND.  [1833-34. 


Hour,  bacon,  &c.  That  all  had  Ix'on  distiihuted  to 
the  best  advantage.  The  accounts  were  examined, 
and  the  action  of  the  committee  endorsed. 

The  rebuilding  of  the  town  progivssed  steadily, 
and  before  the  close  of  the  year  there  were  thirteen 
stores  on  xVIechanic  street,  where  there  iiad  been  onh 
six  previous  to  the  fire. 

During  all  of  the  year  1833,  a  party  of  engineers 
and  workmen  in  the  empK)y  of  the  Government,  had 
been  engaged  in  changing  the  course  of  that  part  of 
the  National  Road  extending  from  Cumlx>rlaiid  to 
the  Six  Mile  House.  The  original  road,  as  surveyed 
and  built,  lay  along  Green  street,  and  across  Wills 
Mountain,  through  Sandy  Gap.  The  new  location 
abandoned  Ihat  route,  and  lay  along  Will's  Creek. 
through  the  Narrows,  and  thence  along  Braddocks 
Run,  exactlv  as  it  remains  to-day.  In  the  winter  of 
1833  General  Gratiot,  the  Chief  Engineer,  submitted 
bis  report  to  the  War  Department,  showing  how  he 
had  repaired  a  large  part  of  the  Cumberland  Road; 
that  tlie  new  locatit)n  had  been  opened,  and  that  the 
bridge  over  Will's  Creek  was  in  course  of  construe- 
tion.  He  recommended  still  further  repairs  and 
estimated  the  total  cost  to  be  !?G4 5,000. 

January  2. 1834. — The  tavern  liouse  of  Mrs.  Bruee. 
widow  of  Francis  IJruce.  live  miles  above  town,  on 
the  Natit)nal  Road,  was  destroved  by  fire,  with  all  its 
contents.  The  imn.ii'es  saved  themselves  by  ;ainpin!i 
from  the  second  story,  not  even  saving  their  clothiiiii. 

.Taniuiry  7. — Notice  was  given  that  the  CumberlamI 
Bank  of  AUeuanv  would  resume  business,  on  tlu' 
13th  inst.,  with  .Toseph  Shriver  as  Cashier. 


■■■^viilllKiMitiHY'iim^.'^it.'JimiiVm 


lulled  to 
xaniined, 

steadily. 
;  thirteen 
been  only 

engineers 
nient,  had 
lat  part  of 
jerland  to 
8  surveyed 
:oss  Will's 
\v  location 
llVs  Creek. 
BraddockV 
winter  of 

submitted 
how  lie 

md  Road; 

id  that  the 
construc- 


11 


tpairs 


and 


llrs.  Bruce, 
town,  on 

rith  all  it? 
IV  iiunpiiiii' 

|r  elothin;:. 

innberlanil 

Ks.  oil  tlu' 


Q 

z 
< 

-J 

on 

ui 
00 

S  t;; 

=3    " 

c 
C/)  2 

S    ° 
>    o 

o  -" 

DC 

< 

z 

LlI 

X 


k-:^iW.-^  '■  i?^r^'-'- 


Le, 

iiic 

eve 

c<ev( 

dial 

The 

of  t 

Cum 

mile 

from 

thet 

k 


iveon 


A,. 


"1  eoi 


J 


in 


a|.|.r„j 

Koad 

Pick 


el 


i\tv 


( 


out 


'•■pairs 

istr 


!,V, 


t'tlOl) 


\r\\ 


iS:;4.] 


LOCAL    INCIDENTS. 


O.O. 


January  11). — Four  boats  loaded  with  coal  went 
down  th(^  river;  two  of  them  belonging  to  John  J. 
Hoft'niiin,  sunk  ten  miles  below,  each  loaded  with 
l.liOO  bushels. 

Justices  of  the  Orphans'  Court:  Thomas  Cresap, 
Joliii  McNeill  and  George  Hebb. 

March  4. — Mr.  Lantz  presented  a  petition  to  the 
Li\irislature  praying  that  body  not  to  pass  a  bill 
iiuorporating  the  town.  The  bill  was  passed,  how- 
ever, amending  the  act  of  1815,  and  })roviding  that 
seven  Councilnien  should  be  elected  each  year,  and 
tliat  they  should  elect  one  of  their  number^as  Mayor. 
The  town  was  incorporated  under  the  name  and  title 
of  the  "Mayor  and  Councilnien  of  the  Town  of 
CmnlM'rlnnd."  The  limits  were  fixed  at  "half-a- 
mile  all  round  the  town,  to  be  computed  and  measured 
troin  the  town  lots  on  the  outer  edge  or  confines  of 
the  town  proper,  as  located  and  settled  by  law,  and 
bv  the  plat  already  recorded  among  the  land 
records." 

April  14. — Many  of  the  houses  draped  in  black, 
in  commemoration  of  the  fire,  one  year  previous. 

June  24. — Notice  received  that  Congress  had 
appnijjriated  $o00.000  to  repair  the  Cumberland 
Road.  Work  then  went  on.  under  care  of  Lieutenant 
Piekell,  and  the  stone  bridge  of  two  arches,  each 
sixty  feet  span,  was  completed. 

'"ontracts  for  work  were  given  as  follows  in  the 
it'pairs  ol"  the  Cumberland  Road: 

1st  Culvert  Section  — Jonathan  Witt;  2d  Culvert 
[Section.  R.  A.  (Elements. 

New    Locatioii.—  Section    No.  2,  Gustavus    Beall; 


J.3k.*iiiii(atSSIsS&S:  'i*ilAti.^iienSt!S!tiiXSl}it!<miil^M£UUI 


384 


HISTORY    OK   CUMBERI,A\r>. 


[1884. 


No.  8,  Mattingly  &  Mulholhin;  No.  4,  Edmund 
i5ulger;  No.  5,  Cahoono  &  Moore;  No.  6,  Miller. 
Baker  &  Co.;  No.  7,  Lonogaii,  O'Neill  &  Kennedy: 
No.  8,  Thomas  Feely. 

Old  Road.— Section  No.  9,  R.  A.  (Jlenients;  No.  10. 
Hewe8,  Stewart  &  Howard;  No.  11,  John  Neff;  No. 
12,  Josiah  Porter;  No.  18,  Hews,  Stewart  &  Co.;  No. 
14,  Meshack  Frost;  No.  15,  Joseph  Dilley;  No.  IG. 
Josiah  Frost;  No.  17,  T.  Beall  &  Coombs ;  No.  18,  M. 
Meneer;  No.  19,  Adam  Shooltze ;  No.  20,  Micha«l 
McGaverin. 

The  U.  S.  Mail  Stage  from  Wheeling  for  Baltiiiioiv. 
was  attacked  near  the  tup  of  Savage  Mountain,  1" 
miles  from  Cumberland,  not  fnr  from  a  gloomy  plare 
known  as  the  '"Shades  of  Death."  on  the  niiilit  (it 
Wednesday.  August  ()tli.  about  10  o'clock,  by  two 
highwaynnen.  They  had  cut  a  (juantity  of  brusli 
which  thev  threw  on  the  road  so  as  to  obstruct  it. 
and  as  the  stage  was  ascending  the  mountain,  one  of 
the  robbers  sprang  out  from  the  shrubbery  on  tin' 
side  of  the  road,  seized  the  bridle  of  a  lead  horse  and 
stopping  the  team,  ordered  the  driver  to  dismount. 
The  highwayman  had  mistaken  bis  man.  however, 
and  had  met  more  than  his  match  in  the  person  nl 
the  driver,  Samuel  Luman.  a  young  man  of  splendid 
physique  and  perfectly  fearless.  lie  declined  tn 
dismount,  and  put  the  whip  to  his  horses  with  a  will 
The  team  being  spirited  horses  bounded  forward. 
dragging  the  robber  with  them.  A  second  highway- 
man appeared  at  the  door  of  the  stage,  and  to  him 
the  first  robber  called  out,  "shoot  the  driver,  yoii 
d d  coward,  why^  don't  you   fire  at  him?"    The 


1834.] 


HHiHWAYMKN. 


335 


robber  at  the  side  «)!'  the  stage  ealled  out,  "how  many 
passengers  have  you?"  and  the  driver  replied  "a  full 
load."  The  ''gentleman  of  the  road"  then  looked  at 
the  baggage,  and  seeing  an  unusual  number  of  trunks 
on,  concluded  to  keep  clear  of  a  shot  from  the  door, 
so  he  took  a  position  behind  the  stage.  The  first 
robber  was  a  desperate  fellow,  however,  and  he 
succeeded  in  turning  the  lead  horses  square  around 
;iiul  stopping  the  stage.  He  then  undertook  to 
uiiliitcli  the  traces,  but  the  brave  driver  lashed  him 
about  the  face  with  his  whip  so  mercilessly  that  the 
fellow  was  compelled  to  abandon  his  purpose,  but 
he  leveled  a  pistol  at  the  driver's  head,  and 
pulled  the  trigger.  The  pistol  was  a  Hint  lock, 
and  the  priming  having  become  damp  from  the 
(lew  and  f()g,  it  missed  fire,  and  the  horses  were 
soon  in  full  gallop  up  the  hill,  broke  through 
the  brush  fence  on  the  road,  and  never  let  up 
their  pace  until  they  went  into  Frostburg.  The 
highwaymen  wore  nuisks,  and  gowns  of  tow  linen,  by 
which  their  identity  was  destroyed.  In  the  stage 
were  five  men  and  one  woman,  and  not  one  of  the 
passengers  was  armed.  They  had  a  large  sum  of 
money  with  them,  besides  which  a  heavy  U.  S.  mail 
was  on  the  stage,  and  had  the  robbers  succeeded 
they  would  have  obtained  valuable  booty.  After 
having  been  safely  landed  at  Frostburg  the  passen- 
gers gave  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the  valiant  young 
'h'iver. 

August  13. — Patrick  Mahon  was  found  dead  on 
the  side  of  the  Cumberland  Koad,  six  miles  above 
the  town,  his   horse  standing   near  by   hitched  to  a 


336 


HISTORY  OF    CUMBERLAND. 


[im 


tree.  He  was  on  his  ro«id  to  Frostlmrg,  and  U'comiuM 
overheated  he  drank  freely  of  cold  water,  which  \va> 
undoubtedly  the  cause  of  his  death. 

August  24. — A  man  nam^d  B.  Kisly.  a  stnuiger. 
who  arrived  in  Cumberland  some  days  previoush. 
was  missed  on  Sunday,  ITtli,  and  on  the  followiiiii 
Saturday  his  body  was  found  in  the  woods,  alx)ut 
one  mile  from  town.  Coroner's  jury  returned  verdict. 
death  caused  by  himself  in  a  fit  of  derangement  i'rom 
dissipation. 

Delegates  to  Assembly:  Al})heus  Beall.  Norniand 
Bruce,  G.  W.  Devecmon,  William  McMahon. 

County  Commissioners:  Jonathan  Wilson.  John 
Slicer,  John  Wiley,  John  Poland.  Peter  Preston. 
Thomas  Dowden,  Martin  Rizer.  William  Xewniaii. 
Daniel  Folck,  Daniel  Woolford. 

November  11. — Travel  began  on  new  location  of 
National  Road  through  Will's  Creek.  The  occasion 
was  celebrated  in  a  very  enthusiastic  way.  by  the 
citizens  of  Cumberland  and  Frostburg.  and  otlicrs. 
Early  in  the  morning  a  large  number  of  the  citizen> 
of  Cumberland  assembled  in  the  public  scpiarc,  and 
forming  into  companies  marched  up  the  new  road  to 
Percy's  tavern,  where  they  were  met  by  anotiiei 
company  from  Frostburg.  A  grand  procession,  a 
mile  in  length,  was  then  formed,  under  command  ol 
John  J.  Hoffman,  Alpheus  Beall.  James  P.  Carlctoii 
and  Richard  Lamar  of  R.,  as  marshals,  and  marched. 
with  a  band,  in  advance  to  Cumberland,  the  line 
being  formed  of  stages,  carriages,  barouchels,  gigs. 
wagons  and  horsemen.  With  Hags  Hying,  and  tiie 
band   playing,    the    procession  passed    through  the 


>^4^ 


1885.] 


LOCAL    INCIDENTS. 


887 


Narrows,  .and  paraded  tho  main  streets  of  the  town  to 
the  public  square,  where  Thomas  I.  McKaig  delivered 
ii  brief  address,  and  was  followed  by  Lieutenant 
Pickcll,  who  in  a  lenuthy  and  elo({uent  speech  con- 
gratulated the  people  upon  the  completion  of  this 
work. 

February  21. — A  meeting  of  mechanics  was  held 
;it  the  Court  House,  when  a  committee  of  five  was 
appointed  to  prepare  an  address  to  the  citizens  of 
Cumberland  and  Allegany, setting  forth  the  greviances 
under  which  the  mechanics  of  Cumberland  labor, 
and  the  best  means  of  remedying  them.  The  com- 
mittee afterwards  reported  at  great  length,  to  the 
effect  that  it  was  wrong  and  unwise  for  the  merchants 
(if  Cumberland  to  send  PLast  for  such  articles  as  were 
manufactured  at  home;  that  they  ought  to  encourage 
home  manufactures,  and  build  up  the  town,  &c..  and 
finally  submitted  the  following  pledge,  which  was 
signed  by  42  persons: 

We,  the  undersigned  raembera  of  the  Farmers'  &  Mechanics'  Union 
Society  of  Cumberland,  mutually  pledge  ourselves  to  support  each  other 
by  using,  and  causing  to  be  used  in  our  families,  by  ourselves  and  our 
servants,  the  manufactures  of  the  mechanics  of  this  community,  and  will 
give  our  undivided  support  to  those  who  encourage  us  in  like  manner.     To 

the  faithful  performance   of  which  we  individually  pledge  our  sacred 

honor. 

Justices  Orphans'  Court: — Thomas  Cresap,  George 
Hehb  and  John  McNeill. 

April  2. — Grand  jubilee  meeting  in  commemora- 
tion of  the  passage  of  the  $2,000,000  Canal  Loan  Law 
of  Maryland,  for  the  purpose  of  completing  the  Canal. 

April  11. — Captain  David  Lynn,  a  soldier  of  the 
Kt'volution.  died  at  ''  Rose  Hill,"  in  the  78th  year  of 

his  age. 
43 


^:J8 


HISTOKV  OF    CLMBEKLAND. 


[1835. 


Major,  .lolu)  (lephart;  Councilmen,  Peter  Ilotrmaii. 
Einaniiel  Easter,  Jairob  Snyder,  Richard  Beall  aiui 
John  M.  Lawrence.     Clerk,  William  McMfhon. 

Thomas  Shriver  appointed  Superintendent  of  that 
part  of  the  National  Road  lying  in  Maryland. 

June  20. — Elijah  (Jurtis  fell  from  the  clift'  in  the 
Narrows  and  was  killed. 

There  were  at  this  time  five  Churches  in  Cumber- 
land, viz:  ( ■atholic,  Father  M.  Marshal;  Lutheran. 
Rev.  Kehler;  Presbyterian,  Rev.  McDonald;  Metho- 
dist, Rev.  Lipsicomb;  Episcopal,  Rev.  Leavenworth. 

Septemb(;r  29. — A  town  meeting  was  held  with  a 
view^  to  petitioning  against  the  location  of  the  Canal 
along  the  "'high  level/'  as  it  was  feared  the  work 
would  be  located  along  the  base  of  the  hills,  near  the 
present  line  (^J'  the  Cumberland  and  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  to  the  Narrows.  A  portion  of  the  population 
favored  this  route. 

At  the  election  October  13,  William  McMahon. 
Joseph  Frant/,  Jeremiah  Berry,  Jr.,  and  William 
Matthews  were  elected  to  the  Legislature,  over 
Robert  Bruce,  Wm.  Shaw,  A.  Bruce  and  H.  Shircliff. 

November  20, — Captain  George  Calmes  died,  at  his 
home,  on  the  bluff  across  the  river,  at  the  age  of  80 
years.  He  was  an  officer  of  the  Revolution.  Hi" 
wife.  Mary,  died  December  17th,  following,  aged  8*2 
years.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Captain  Thoma.< 
Price,  of  Frederick. 

At  this  time  there  seemed  to  be  a  prospect  of  the 
completion  of  the  Canal,  and  in  consequence  thereot 
real  estate  advanced  in  price,  the  population  increiised. 
and  man^'  new  buildings  were  erected. 


18:^6.] 


U)CAL    IXCIDKNTS. 


:i3t) 


In  Jiinuiiry.  1836,  it  wan  {innouiuvd  that  tin- 
appropriatiDU  for  the  Canal  had  been  exhausted,  and 
work  waH  stopped,  whereupon  a  panic  occurred,  and 
town  lots  were  offered  at  insignificant  prices. 

A  town  meeting  was  held  and  resohitions  [)assed 
urging  the  Legislature  to  appropriate  $2,500.()()()  to 
continue  the  work.  David  Shriver.  John  Hoye. 
George  McCulloh,  Rol)ert  Bruce,  and  James  Smith 
were  aj)pointed  a  committee  to  go  to  Annapolis,  and 
present  the  petition. 

In  April  a  company  of  Boston  capitalists  purchased 
some  coal  lands,  and  secured  a  charter  to  huilu  a 
railroad  along  Braddocks  Run.  and  their  operations 
caused  some  improvement  in  affairs. 

May  2. — At  the  town  election  John  Wright  was 
chosen  Mayor,  the  Councilmen  being  Peter  Hoffman. 
E.  Easter.  Baptist  Mattingly.  E.  Worthington,  and 
George  Blocher. 

In  November  George  Smith.  Robert  Bruce.  Thomas 
Perry,  and  John  M.  Buchanan  were  elected  to  the 
Legislature,  and  Thomas  Dowden,  Sheriff. 

The  County  Commissioners  were  James  D.  Arm- 
strong, John  Slicer,  Henry  Brown.  Cornelius  Kight, 
Peter  Preston,  Burgess  Magruder,  John  Cress,  Wm. 
Newman.  Daniel  Folck  and  Robert  Lashlew 

In  December  the  stone  bridge  over  Will's  Creek, 
at  the  Narrows,  was  completed,  under  the  superin- 
tendence of  U.  S.  Engineers  Page  and  Turnei-,  the 
contractors  being  Lane  &  Sumner.  This  work  had 
i>een  much  delayed  by  freshets.  Upon  its  completion 
tlie  National  Road  was  opened  by  this  route  for 
travel. 


340 


IIISTOUV    OF    CUMBKRLAND.  [183()-87. 


In  1833  tho  rA'<5iwlatuiv  hiid  autliori/ed  the  erection 
of  a  new  Court  House  in  CufulK-i'liintl,  and  .lolm 
Hoye,  Martin  Rizer,  .lolm  (i.  llofVinan  and  liene  S. 
Pignian  had  been  ap[)ointed  Connnissionens  to  su|K.'r- 
intend  the  work.  A  levy  of  1|5,()0()  was  to  Ix^  madi'. 
$1,000  to  be  collected  eacii  year  until  the  amount  was 
secured.  Some  efl'ort  was  made  to  have  the  building 
located  on  the  east  side  of  the  Creek,  but  it  did  not 
amount  to  anything:;.  The  excavation  for  the  founda- 
tions was  connnenced  in  the  fall  of  183G. 

Andrew  Bruce  and  Richard  Beall  were  electwl 
members  of  the  electoral  college  and  were  of  tiu' 
"innnortal  twentv-one"  whig  electors  who  prevents 
the  subversion  of  the  State  government. 

January  3,  1837. — The  Mineral  Bank  commenced 
business,  with  George  E.  Dysui.,  cashier. 

Justices  of  Orphans'  Court:  Thomas  Cresap,  Jolm 
McNeill  jind  George  Hebb.  Surveyor,  Benjamin 
Brown. 

Mayor,  Gustavus  Beall;  Councihnen,  Thomas  1. 
McKaig,  Moore  N.  Falls,  J.  P.  Carleton,  John  Hoye. 
B.  Simkins,  M.  Rizer  of  M. 

A  forcing  engine  was  purchased  for  fire  protection, 
and  a  special  tax  of  30  cents  on  each  $100  levied  to 
pay  for  it.  This  engine  was  known  as  the  "Goose 
Neck,"  and  was  about  the  size  of  a  No.  1  store  bo.\, 

May  13. — The  Cumberland  Bank  suspended  specie 
payment,  and  the  Mineral  Bank  followed,  three  da}> 
lat<3r. 

The  receipts  and  expenditures  of  the  town  for  tin 
fiscal  year,  ending  May  30.  amounted  to  !|G14.97. 

The  vote  for  Congress  in  the  County  was,  Merrick. 


1.s:^j7.] 


L()(^AL    INCIDKNTS. 


341 


iwliiji)     «S'51 ;    Thoiiuis,    (Dt'iiMcnit)    732.     Francis 
Tlioiiias  had  a  majority  in  ihv.  District  of  2l)()  votes. 

Michael  C.  Sjjri^^g,  Jolin  NcH",  Daniel  Bh)cher,  and 
.loiiiithan  IliiddU'son  were  elected  to  the  Legislature. 

By  the  close  of  the  year,  1837,  the  burnt  district 
had  lu'cn  almost  entirely  rebuilt,  and   many   of  the 
houses  were  large  and  substantial.     The  Cumberland 
Hank,  the  N  '*'onal  Hotel,  the  buildings  on  each  of  the 
(•(iniers  c'  '*  .^'-'ore  and  Mechanic  streets, and  several 
iitliors  i.^.      .'r  up  street,  having  been  reconstructed. 
A  large  hotc '  building  was  erected  on  the  North  side 
of  Baltimore    street,    where  the    St.    Nicholas  now 
stands,  known  as  Slicer's  Tavern,  which  was  kept  at 
tills  time  by  Joshua  Johnson.     The  ground  on  this 
(•(irner  was  bought  several  years  previous  to  this  date, 
by  Peter  Lowdermilk,  wlio  gave  in  payment  therefor 
dill'  lady's  saddle.     A  frame  house  was  erected  just 
Ih'Iow  the  hotel,  and  another  on  the  Southeast  corner 
ol  Baltimore  and   Liberty  streets.     A   row  of  two- 
story  frame  buildings,  lathed  and  plastered  outside, 
were  built  on  Baltimore  street,  South  side,  just  below 
Lilwrty  street,    and    on    the    Southwest    corner   of 
Liberty  a  residence  by  Levi  Hilleary.     On  the  South- 
east corner  of  Centre  and  Baltimore  Edward  Sullivan 
placed  a  blacksmith  shop.     A  stable  was  built  on 
Sliryer's  tan-yard  property,  on  Centre   street,  and  a 
ilouble  brick    house    on    Baltimore   street,    a   short 
ilistance  East  of  the  Lutheran  Church.     A  number 
'li  residences  had  been  also  erected  on  Bedibrd  street. 

("onnnerce  between  the  East  and  West  rapidly 
increased,  and  the  Cumberland  Road  became  the 
:;i'eat  highway  of  traffic.    The  heavy  passenger  travel, 


H42 


niSTOKV    OF    (TMHKKI.AM).  [l,S87_MJ.i 


and  the  tnuiHportatioii  of  ^ooiIh,  lod  to  the  cstablisli- 
inent  of  Imiidrcds  of  iiouscs  of  cntcrtiiimnciit  nhw 
tho  road,  and  ('iiinhcrland  reaped  licr  I'ldl  share 
of  patronage,  heinji-  the  j)rincij>al  point  hetwecn 
Baltimore   and   Wlieelin*;. 

In  the  constnu'tion  of  the  ('heHa|x»ako  and  Oliii, 
Canal  thonsands  of  Iriwh  laborers  were  euiplovod. 
and  aH  bad  feeling  existed  betwetMi  the  elans,  riots 
were  of  freciuent  oeein-reiu^e.  On  New  Year's  Day. 
1838,  a  number  of  men  employed  at  the  tunnel 
marched  up  to  Oldtown,  and  made  a  raid  on  the 
place,  almost  demolishing  Nicholas  Ryan's  tavern 
Thomas  Dowden.  the  Sheriff,  sununoned  the  Cnm- 
bcrland  Guards,  and  other  citizens,  as  a  jyosse,  and 
went  down  to  quidl  the  riot,  but  the  disturbers  liml 
left. 

In  view  of  these  troubles  a  (company  of  ritloniei) 
was  organized,  and  the  Governor  sent  toCuniberlaiid 
189  muskets  and  120  rifles  to  arm  the  Militia. 

The  following  officers  of  the  5()th  regiment. 
Maryland  Militia  were  appointed :  C.  M.  Thruston. 
Colonel;  Thomas  I.  McKaig.  Lieutenant  Colonol: 
Normand  liruce.  Major;  Dr.  II.  G.  Grieves,  Surgeon: 
Alexander  King.  Captain;  George  M.  Reid.  1st 
Lieutenant,  and  John  M.  Carleton,  2d  Lieutenant. 

April  25 — The  chain  bridge  over  Will's  Creek 
gave  way  at  the  Western  abutment,  and  the  structure 
fell  into  the  stream.  At  the  time  of  the  accident 
two  men  and  a  boy  were  on  the  bridge,  and  all  went 
down  with  it.  The  men  saved  themselves  !t,\ 
swimming  to  the  shore,  and  the  boy  clambered  over 
the  wreck  to  a  point  of  safety.     The  (J reek  at  the 


is;;h.] 


LOCAL    INCIDKXTS. 


343 


time  was  imicli  swollen.  Court  was  in  st'ssion.  and 
tiic  arcidont  occurred  only  about  half  hour  before  the 
time  for  persons  to  attend 

Gustavus  Heall.  (leor^'e  liloclier  and  Goor'j!;e  IIol)- 
litzcU  were  appointi'd  Connnissioners  to  rebuild  tiio 
hridge,  and  on  the  4th  of  May  advertised  for  proposals. 
The  construction  of  a.  wooden  bridge  was  shortly 
utter  coninienced,  the  plan  being  two  wooden  arches 
rciicliing  from  shore  to  shore,  with  a  carriage  way  in 
till'  centre,  and  a  foot  walk  on  either  Bide.  This 
bridge  was  covered,  and  closed  in,  with  heavy  lattice 
work  on  the  sides,  and  the  lloor  covered  with  tan 
liiii'k. 

May  "il. — (leorge  E.  Dyson,  Cashier  of  the  Mineral 
liiiuk  was  thrown  from  bis  buggy  and  killed.  C.  M. 
Thruston  was  then  President  of  the  bank,  and 
Jonathan  W.  Magruder  was  elected  (Jashier. 

Mayor,  Frederick  Deems;  Councilmen,  George 
Il()blit7.ell,  J.  Witt,  Robert  McCleary,  Henry  Wright, 
Poter  IlolVnian,  and  Henry  Wineow.  Clerk,  Daniel 
Bk)clier. 

October  o. — State  Senator:  William  Matthews. 
Delegates  to  Assembly :  John  Neff,  Jonathan  Hud- 
dleson  and  Daniel  Blocher. 

Comity  Connnissioners:  Jno.  Slicer,  Henry  Brown, 
Cornelius  Kight,  George  M.  Bloclier,  Martin  Rizer, 
Burgess  Magruder,  John  W.  Mountz,  Walter  Bevanst 
and  (leorge  H.  A.  Kunst. 

October  13. — (Ordinance  to  grade  and  pave  Wash- 
ington street  from  Will's  Creek  bridge  to  Spruce  Alley. 
October  17. — Evangelical  Synod  of  Maryland  met 
in  Cumberland. 


344 


HISTOKY   OF   CUMBERLANf>.  [IS^S-I^'J 


f- 


Octol)er  28. — Methodist  Protestant  (.'liunili.  Bed- 
ford street,  dedicated.  Rev.  Isaac  Webster.  President 
of  Mar  viand  Conference,  oir.ciating. 

October  30. — John  Bnrbridge,  living  five  iniks 
below  town,  on  line  of  canal,  l)eaten  nearly  to  death 
by  a  lot  of  Irish  laborers,  on  that  work.  Colonel 
Thrnston  took  t'le  militia  companies  of  Captains 
King  and  Haller  to  the  section  on  which  the  giiilt\ 
parties  were  at  work,  and  arrested  thirteen  v>iin 
were  suspected,  and  brought  them  to  to\\'n  for  n 
hearing. 

The  first  semi-annnal  report  of  the  Superintendent 
of  the  National  Road,  showed  the  receipts  for  the 
half  year  ending  November  20,  to  be  i|3,980.5(). 

Deceml>er  15. — The  Mountaineer  Hose  ('onipiun 
was  organized,  the   following  officers  being  chosen 
President,   John   Beall;   Treasurer,   J.  (r    Iloflinan: 
Secretary,  John   M.  Carleton.     The   town   supplied 
them  with  a  suction  engine  at  a  cost  of  .f750. 

During  the  greater  part  of  the  year  the  scarcity  of 
small  money  led  tiie  merchants  generally  to  issue 
'shinplasters,"  for  the  accommodation  of  the  public. 
On  tbe  22d  of  December  a  meeting  of  the  merchants 
and  traders  was  held  at  the  National  Hotel,  when  it 
was  resolved  that  the  nec;essity  for  such  currency  no 
longer  existed,  and  that  they  should  not  thereatter 
be  circulated. 

January  18,  1839. — The  Presbyteria.i  Church  on 
Liberty  street  was  opened  for  worship,  ;  nd  on  th'' 
20th  it  was  dedicated,  Rev.  Samuel  H.  McDonaW 
officiating. 

The  progress  of  the  work  on  the  new  C  jurt  Houst' 


.,  '-:-^ 


1839.] 


LOCAL    INCIDENTS. 


845 


was  very  slow,  and  in   January  a  petition   was  senl 

t(t  tlio  I/'ffislature  praying  that  the   location  of  the 

liiiilding  might  be  changed  to  the   East  side  of  the 

Creek,  and  alleging  that  such  a  change  would  he  just 

;iik1  wise,  since  the  hotels,  business  and  population 

wore  there;    also,   that    the   petitioners  would   con- 

tribiitL  a  lot  and  pay  for  the  removal  of  the  material. 

Another    petition  was  presented   protesting   against 

such  removal,  and  setting  forth  the  advantages  of  the 

location  which  had  been  selected  by  the  proprietor  ol" 

the  town  in  1785.     The   petition  asking  the  change 

luid  14 o   signers;   the  other  390.     The  Tjcgislature 

declined  to  order  any  change,  aiiJ  the  Court   House 

was  finished  during  the  year,  proving  a  large,  roomy, 

and  comfortable  building. 

February  12. —  Kllen   J.   Albright,  a  young  lady. 

lil'teeri  years  of  age,  was  burned  to  death,  her  clothing 

having  taken  lire  from  a  stove. 

February  24. — A  fire  broke  out  in  a  frame  l)uilding 

1)11  North  Mechanic  street,  just  above  Bedlbrd  strc'-t. 

occupied  by  John  Mollinanas  a  cabinet-maker  s  .Vhoi). 

That  and  six  adjoining  buildings  were  destroyed. 

March  25. — The  town  council  [)assed  an  ordinance' 

i'0([uiriHg  every  person  owning  a  house  or  store  inside 

the  corporate  limits  to  provide  a  leathern  bucket,  of 

at  least  two  and  a  half  gallons  capacity,  for  every 

Wilding  such  person  owned,  and  to  have  his  name 

plain  I V  marked  thereon. 

The  "Gooseneck"  lire  engine  was  given  in  charge 

"1  the  '"Cumberland,"  »)r  "(Canada,"  Hose  Company, 

by  the  town,  together  with   lour  axes,  three   hooks 

mil  four  laddt»rs,  and  $30  was  appropriated  to  build  a 
U 


u^ 


HISTOKV    OK    CUMBERLAND.  [18o9-4(J. 


house  I'or  tliein.     The  hose  were  carried  on  a  wagon. 

Mayor,  Samuel  Charles;  Counciluien,  Baptist  M:it- 
tingly,  George  Shuek,  Daniel  Wineow,  Archibald 
McNeill,  Martin  Uizer,  and  Robert  A.  Robinson. 
Clerk,  Charles  Heck. 

August  27. — In  consequence  of  a  nund^er  of  seri6us 
riots  on  the  canal,  at  the  tunnel,  Colonel  Thruston 
went  with  the  military  companies  of  Cumberland  to 
that  point,  where  he  was  joined  by  Colonel  lIollinj:s- 
worth's  troops  from  Washington  county,  and  ;i 
company  of  cavalry  from  Clearspring,  Md.,  under 
Major  Barnes.  Colonel  Thruston  took  command,  and 
arrested  twenty-five  of  the  ring-leaders,  captured  and 
destroyed  about  two  hundred  five  •irms,  and  sixtv 
barrels  of  whisky,  and  pulled  down  fifty  shanties. 
The  prisoners  were  brought  to  Cundjerland,  and  put 
in  jail,  and  most  of  them  afterwards  sent  to  the 
penitentiary,  for  terms  ranging  from  one  to  eighteen 
years. 

May  17,  1840. — Mayor,  Samuel  Charles;  Coinicil- 
men,  Thomas  Perry,  (jleorge  Shuck,  Daniel  Wineow. 
Archibald  McNeill,  and  E.  Easter.  Clerk,  Charles 
Heck. 

The  political  campaign  of  1840  was  probably  one 
of  the  most  enthusiastic  ever  known  in  Allegany 
county.  The  Harrison  men  were  particularly  active, 
and  two  interesting  events  occurred  in  tl)e  town  ot 
Cumberland  during  the  spring.  On  the  28th  of 
April  delegations  from  the  Pennsylvania  counties  ot 
(u*eene  and  Favette  arrived  here,  on  their  wav  to  the 
Young  Men's  Ilairison  Convention,  at  Baltimore. 
A  lariiv  nnndjer  of  citizens  left  Cumberland  at  2  p. 


1840.] 


THE    CAMPAIGN    OF    '40. 


:^.47 


111.  to  meet  the  delegations  and  escort  them  to  town. 
They  went   out  on    horseback,    in  carriages,  and    in 
cimches,  under  command  of  Wm.   Lvnn.  marshal  of 
the  tlay.     Three    miles    from    town   thoy    met   the 
delegations,  which  were  marching  with  a  hand,  flags 
and  banners,  and  a  log  ca])in   on    four   wheels.     As 
the  procession  marched    into  town   there  was  great 
t'lithiisiasm,  the  band  playing  and  the  people  shout- 
iiiir,  the  streets  and  houses  being  crowded  with   the 
iimltitnde.     The    log  cabin   was   the  feature  of   the 
(k'lnonstration;  it  was  drawn  by  six  gray  horses,  and 
was  decorated  with  coon  skins,  buck  horns,  &c.    The 
Peiuisylvanians  stayed  over  night,  and   an  immense 
mooting  was  held  in  the  new  Court   House.     On  the 
following  day  they  were  escorted   out   of  town    and 
went  on   their  way.     One    da^-  later,  the  Allf'vany 
ilelegation,   consisting    of    about    fifty    young    men. 
also  left    for    Baltimore.     Thev    were    clad   in    the 
blue  hunting  shirts  of  the  mountaineers,  and  made  a 
fine  appearance.     Under  the  energetic   direction  of 
Thomas  Shriver,    Allegany    had  prepared  the  most 
novel  and  striking  feature  of  the  campaign.     A  large 
wooden  ball,  some  twelve  feet  in  diameter,  was  built 
in  the  barn  of  Mr.  Shriver,  for  the  occasion.      Tt  was 
made  of  light  timber,  lirndy  joined,  and  a  wooden  bar 
passed  through  its  centre,  protruding  some  two  leet 
on  each  side;    to    this   was    attached    ropes,  and   at 
intervals  of  three  or  four  feet  short  hand  bars  were 
fastened  in  the  njpes,  by  means  of  wdiich  tiie  delega- 
tion dragged   it   forward,  and    the    ball,  once  set  in 
motion,  was  kept  rolling  till   the  election   gave  the 
Hard  Cider  and  Log  (Jabin"  Roys  a  victory.     Upon 


:US 


IIISTOKV   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1840. 


the  complftion  oi'  tho  })all  it  was  found  t'.iat  it  was 
larger  than  the  opening  in  the  barn,  and  it  l)ecamt' 
necessary  to  tear  out  parts  of  the  walls  to  increase 
the  means  of  egress.  The  ball  was  covered  with  red. 
white  and  blue  cloth,  in  alternate  stripes,  and  at  the 
polls  were  stars  on  a  blue  ground.  It  was  covered 
with  various  inscriptions,  amongst  them  being  the 
loUowijig: 

OLD  ALLK(}ANY, 

With  heart  and  soul,  tliis   ball  we   roll; 
May  times  improve,  as   on   we    n.  )ve. 

This  Democratic  ball  first  set  rollin;^  by  Benton 
Is  on  another  track  from  that  it  first  was  sent  on. 


Farewell,  dear  Van;  you're  not  the  man 
To  ;/ui(le  the  Ship;  we'll  trv  old  Tip. 


"stop   that    ItALI,." 

The  Kiithciin};  biiU  is   rollinir  still; 
And  still  leathern  as  it  rolls. 

The  delegation  from  Allegany  started  oft'  in  hijrh 
sj)irits  for  Baltimore.  The  ball  was  rolled  through 
the  streets  and  along  the  Baltimore  pike  for  some 
distance,  and  was  then  placed  on  a  wagon  [)repared  tor 
the  purpose.  When  a  town  was  approached  on  the 
I'oute  the  ball  was  unloaded  and  rolled  through,  Avith 
shouts  and  so)igs.  At  the  great  procession  in  Balti- 
more it  was  greeted  with  cheer  after  cheer,  Jind  Ilenrv 
(Jlav  declared  it  to  be  the  '"  Lion  of  the  Day."  It  was 
regarded  as  so  great  a  novelty  that  the  New  York 
delegation  asked  and  secured  permission  to  take  it 
with  them,  to  their  celebraticm  of  the  battle  of  Fort 
Meigs,  on  the  Sth  of  M;iy.  They  took  it  through 
lMiiladeli)hia  and  New  York  City,  and  every  where  it 
iittrtu'ted  gr?at  attention,  of  which,  of  course,  the 
Alk'gany  hoys  were  very  proud. 


[1840. 


184(1.] 


LOCAL    INCIDENTS. 


349 


at  it  ^vlls 
it  ])ocame 

0  increase 

1  with  red, 
and  at  the 
IS  covered 

being  the 


n 
on. 


ijff  in  liigh 
d  through 
for  some 
re  pa  red  for 
lied  on  the 
;ou,U'h.  with 
,n  m  Balti- 
land  llenr} 

It  WilS 

ew  York 
to  talvc  it 

le  of  Fort 
lit  througli 
Irywhere  it 

ouise,  the 


On  the  22d  of  Sei)tem])er  the  Whigs  had  a  grand 
procession  in  (Jninherhmd,  and  on  this  occasion  rolled 
anotlier  ball,  about  twenty  feet  in  diameter,  through 
the  streets,  while  the  town  was  literally  packed  with 
people. 

February  9. — A  disastrous  freshet  occurred.  The 
river  and  creek  had  been  frozen  over,  and  a  sudden 
thaw  took  place,  causing  ))oth  streams  to  rise  to  a 
:reiit  height,  doing  much  damage  and  badly  injuring 
the  work  on  the  canal. 

February  12. — A  public  meeting  was  held  at  the 
Court  House,  and  resolutions  passed,  urging  the 
Legislature  to  give  additional  aid  towards  the  com- 
pletion of  the  (.'anal.  The  meeting  was  very  large, 
md  a  memorial  setting  forth  the  sentiments  of 
tl'e  people  Avas  adopte'd,  and  sent  to  Annapolis  in 
iliarge  of  (J.  M.  Thruston,  Thomas  Perry  and  Samuel 
-M.  Seinmes.  The  committee  discharged  its  duty, 
I  lit  tiie  Tjegislature  failed  to  make  a  further  appro- 
[iriutiun,  and  the  people  of  Cumberland  became  quite 
Icspondent  in  consequence  thereof. 

April  1.— -Another  public  meeting  was  held  for  the 
purpose  of  determining  upon  the  best  means  to  be 
tiiken  to  secure  the  completion  of  the  work.  It  was 
ietermined  to  petition  the  Governor  to  call  an  extra 
"'t'ssion  of  the  Li^gislature  in  order  that  the  matter  of 
I  lurther  appropriation   might   be  again   considered. 

April  30. — Beall's  Row,  consisting  of  nine  small 
buses,  on  the  west  side  of  North  Mechanic  street 
i»'K)ve  Bedford,  was  destroyed  by  lire. 

July  1 1.— Population  of  the  town  2,384.  In  1830 
It  was  1,162. 


f^Tr»-irtniMiiriiimrnr»t'rTTniiim'-niir»"iiTi'T 


350 


HISTORY  OF   CUMBERLAND.  [1841-42. 


^ 


May  18,  1841. — Major,  James  Smith ;  Counoilincii. 
E.  Eastor,  Bcniamin  Simkins.  J.  CI.  Hofrmaii.  Goor^c 
Shuck,  Martin  Rizor  of  M,.  Georgo  Bh)cher.  (Mork. 
S.  A.  Swartzwchior. 

January  15,1842. — A  little  daughter  of  Theopliilus 
Beall,  4  years  of  age,  was  accidentally  burned  to 
death,  her  clothing  having  taken  fire  from  an  open 
fire  place. 

February  28. — The  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railioad 
Company,  during  the  construction  of  its  road  in  the 
vicinit}^  of  Cumberland,  paid  its  employees  in  its 
notes.  For  some  months  they  j)assed  current  at  their 
face  value,  but  on  this  date  the  merchants  of  the 
town  held  a  meeting  and  determined  that  thencefor- 
ward the}'  would  accept  them  only  at  a  discount  of 
20  per  cent.  In  Baltimore  they  were  subject  to  a 
discount  of  25  per  cent.  The  Good  Intent  Stage 
Company  were  then  issuing  ''shinplasters'"  whieli 
commanded  their  full  value,  and  were  redeemable  od 
presentation. 

May  18. — Mayor,  John  Gephart:  Councilinen. 
George  Mattingly,  Martin  Rizer  of  M.,  Samuel 
Eckles,  James  A.  Annan,  George  Shuck,  and  Arch. 
McNeill.     Clerk,  S.  A.  Swartzwelder. 

The  new  Council  contracted  with  Nelson  Beall. 
for  the  construction  of  a  market  house,  which  wa.« 
finished  in  1848,  at  a  cost  of  .■$1,700. 

October  5. — Sherift',  Normand  Bruce.  Delegates. 
W.  V.  Buskirk,  John  Neff  and  John  Pickell. 

County  Commissioners:  John  Brobst.  Heiirv 
Bruce,  Peter  Yeast,  G.  Fazenbaker,  H.  Kreigbauiii. 
Alexander  King.  George  M.   Reid.  L.   M.  Jamison, 


-i55S^-.fr,^...„^-_. 


;i  84 1-42. 

uiioilincii. 
in.  George 
r.     (nerk. 

^heopliilus 
burned  to 
a  an  open 

lo  Railroad 
road  in  the 
^eos   in  its 
ent  at  their 
lilts  of  the 
:  thcncetor- 
discount  of 
fubject  to  ii 
itent  Stage 
ors     which 
eenialjle  on 

I'ouncihnen. 
yl.,    Sanuiol 
and  Arch. 

Idson  Beall. 
[which  wfti^ 

Delegates. 

[ell. 

1st.     Henr} 

kreighaum. 

Jamison, 


1842.]  ].(K'AL    INCmENTS.  351 

Henr}'   Bevans,  Robert   Lashly,   and    John    Frantz. 
The  following   was  the  assessment  of  property  in 
(!uinl;orland  in  January: 

Lands  and  tenements $152,229 

Slaves 40.100 

Slock  in  trade Ifl.'i.OW.j 

Bank  nnd  other  stock.e (il.H77 

Private  ■seciiritie.'* 200,27:5 

Live  stock 2:i,;'.2T 

Household  furniture ;!2,440 

Plate 2,4SS 

Gold  and  silver  watches ."{.(Itil 

Other  property 8,7:58 

Total $0:^1,118 

November  1. — The  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad 
was  on  this  date  opened  to  Cumberland,  and  the 
wonderful  locomotive  made  its  first  appearance  here. 
No  other  event  has  ever  transpired  in  the  history  of 
the  place  which  crcjited  so  much  pleasurable  excite- 
ment. Business  was  entirely  suspended,  and  men, 
women  and  children  gathered  al)out  the  terminus  of 
till'  road  to  witness  the  arrival  of  the  trains.  From 
the  mountain  tops,  and  valleys,  throughout  the 
luljoining  country,  the  people  came  in  crowds,  and 
the  town  was  in  a  fever  of  excitement  for  many 
days. 

The  opening  oi'  this  road  proved  the  inauguration 
of  a  new  era  in  the  history  of  the  town.  This  was 
made  the  point  of  exchange  for  passengers  and 
merchandize  between  the  East  and  West.  Hotels 
were  erected  for  the  accommodation  of  travelers,  and 
large  ware  houses,  along  the  railroad  tracks,  for  the 
j'toring  of  goods  which  were  to  be  transhipped  from 
cars  to  wagons  for  the  West,  and  from  wagons  to 
'•ars  for  the  P^ast.     The  facilities  thus  furnished  for 


852 


IirSTORV   OF   Cl'MHRKI.ANO. 


[1842. 


rapid  transportation  induced  man}-  persons  to  mtikc 
tlio  journey  across  the  mountains,  and  the  sstjiirc 
com[)anie.s  were  coinpelled  to  ))uild  new  coaclies  and 
to  erect  large  stables  Every  morning  and  eveniiii; 
upon  the  arrival  of  the  cars  long  lines  of  stages  drew 
up  in  front  of  the  hotels.  Inside  they  can-ied  nine 
passengers,  and  outside  one  on  the  seat  with  the 
driver.  In  the  "boot"  and  on  the  roof  wus  phiccd 
the  baggage.  When  all  were  loaded,  at  a  given 
signal,  a  dozen  whips  would  crack,  a  dozen  four-liorsc 
teams  would  take  the  road,  and  dash  through  the 
streets  at  a  brisk  trot,  which  would  be  kept  up  until 
Frostburg  was  reached,  in  less  than  two  h()uiT<. 
Here  horses  were  exchanged,  and  up  the  moiuitain 
grade  they  went,  on  their  way  to  Wheeling. 

In  a  little  while  after  the  completion  of  the  i-iiihuad 
to  Cumberland,  the  National  Road  became  a  thorough- 
fare such  as  the  country  has  never  before  or  since  seen. 
for  a  like  distance.  On  every  mile  of  the  road  were 
to  be  seen  stages,  carriages,  and  heavy  freight  wagons. 
carrying  tons  of  merchandize  piled  up  under  their 
canvas-covered  bows,  drawn  by  six  powerful  iior.ses. 
In  addition  to  these,  great  droves  of  cattle.  hog.s. 
sheep,  &c.,  were  daily  on  the  road.  Taverns  were 
to  be  found  every  few  miles,  with  jolly  landlords,  wliu 
knew  all  the  teamsters,  drivers  and  guards.  Those 
were  ''good  old  times."  and  tiie  "pike  boys"  still 
living  look  back  to  them  with  man}-  a  sigh  of  regret. 

May  19,  1843. — Mayor,  Thomas  Shriver;  Council- 
men,  A.  McNeill,  George  Shuck,  A.  L.  Withers. 
Samuel  Eckles,  Benjamin  Sindcins,  and  John  Gephart. 
Clerk,  S.  A.  Swartzwelder. 


184^l] 


I/X-AL    INCIDKNTS. 


35:^ 


This  ('omioil.  iiiuler  the  I'liergotic  inspiration  ol' 
Mayor  Shrivor,  mado  great  improvements  in  the 
town.  Grades  were  estal)lishe(l  on  all  the  principal 
streets,  and  sidewalks  laid  on  Mechanic  street  almost 
its  ontii'e  length.  Baltimore,  Liherty.  Bedford  and 
George  streets  were  paved,  and  new  bridges  built 
over  the  mill  rsice,  and  paved  with  stone.  The  Blue 
Spring  was  improved  and  walled  up,  and  protected 
by  ordinance.  Late  in  the  fall  Washington  street 
was  paved  to  Sniallwood  street. 

The  steadily  increasing  tide  of  [>assengors  passing 

to  the  East  and  West,  over  this  route,  led  to  still 

greater  enterprise  in  the  supply  of  stages  as  a  means 

of  conveyance.     "The    National    Road  Stage   Com- 

piinv."  owned  bv  Stockton  &  Stokes,  found  an  active 

competitor  in  the  "Good  Intent  Stage  Company,"  the 

owners  of  which  were  Wm,  H.  Still,  John  A.  Woert, 

.\lpheus  Beall  and  Thomas  Shriver.     I)i  the  summer 

ofl848  Reesides  &  Sons  staited  the  "June  Bug  Line," 

and  a   short    time    afterwards    the  keepers  of   the 

taverns  along  the  line  of  the  National  Road,  put  on 

a  splendidly  equipped  set  of  stages  and  horses,  and 

established   the  "Landlord  s  Line."     This  company 

had  many  advantages,  as  the  active,  energetic  men 

wiio    fed    the    passengers     were     the  owners,    and 

constantly  exerted  themselves  to  make   it    popular. 

Amongst  them  were  John  W.  Weaver,  Joseph  Dilley, 

Samuel  Luman  and  William   Willis.     Still  another 

line  waH  put  on  the  road,  between   Hagorstown  and 

Wheeling,  by  Peters,   Moore  &  Co.,  and  known  as 

the   "'Pioneer  Line."     The  competition   became  so 

great  that  the  June  Bug  Line  was  driven  off  the 
45 


354 


HISTORY   (IF    fUMHKHLAND. 


[184;;. 


road,  and  the  Baltiiiiorc  and  Oiiio  Kaii'oad  ^'ontpaDv 
cntcrod  into  a  new  agnrnicnt  with  tlio  two  old 
roinj)ani('«  by  wliii^li  they  vvcrt?  to  have  an  advanta<i,c' 
t)l"$2  per  paswngor  over  the  "'LandlordH'  Litjc  "  Thin 
created  great  excitement  ithmg  the  entii'e  route,  iunl 
it  was  lil;)erally  di.scussed  in  tlie  newspapers,  until 
tlie  railroad  eoinpany  took  ahirin,  and  advised  tiic 
old  companies  to  l)uy  out  the  fjandh)rils.  This  was 
done,  and  the  "National"  and  the  "'(lood  Intent"'  wore 
then  left  to  all  the  honors  and  profits,  and  accumu- 
lated large  sums  ol'  money,  in  the  ten  years  follow- 
ing. 

July  22. — Abraham  Krey,  living  near  Selbysport. 
was  murdered  by  William  S.  (.'hrise,  a  short  distaiuc 
from  the  murdered  man's  house.  Chrise  was  a  largo. 
rugged  man,  and  for  some  time  had  been  on  inidiir 
terms  of  intinnicy  with  Mrs.  Frey.  which  led  lici 
husband  to  express  his  desire  that  (.'hrise  should 
not  come  to  his  house.  Chri.se  resented  this,  and 
threatened  to  kill  Frey,  and  take  his  wife  for  hiniscll: 
and  did  on  one  occasion  endeavor  to  take  her  off. 
On  the  22d  of  July,  Chrise  met  Frey  near  his  house, 
in  the  the  woods,  and  struck  him  with  a  hoe,  theblow 
falling  on  the  back  of  his  head  and  crushing  the 
skull.  The  murderer  then  concealed  the  body  o\'\w 
victim  behind  a  fallen  tree,  where  it  was  found  sonic 
days  later.  Chrise  was  then  arrested  and  brought  t(i 
Cumberland,  where  he  was  confined  in  jail  until  tin- 
Kith  of  OctolK^r,  when  his  trial  came  u]).  On  tin 
17th  a  jury  was  obtained.  Hanson  15.  Pignuui  and 
Wm.  V.  Buskirk  were  counsel  for  the  prosecution. 
George  A.  Pearre,  then  a  young  lawyei'  at  the  bar. 


m:\.] 


KXKCrriON    OK    CHHISE. 


yM 


was  coiin.st'l  lor  tlu'  j»ri.s(iiu'i*.  and  nt  liis  rcquost  the 
Court  appointed  VVillimn  Price  iiH  additional  coiuiHel. 
The  trial  was  concliidt'd  on  the  lonrtli  dav.  and  in 
tuciitv  minutes  the  jury  returned  a  verdict  of 
"iruiltv  (»1  inurdei*  in  (he  first  def^ree."  On  the  20th 
the  Court  passed  sentence'  upon  the  prisoner. 

The  execution  ()r(.'lirise  took  place  in  Noveniher. 
IK'  was  utterly  uinnoved  throughout  the  trying 
iinlciil.  and  was  a[)parently  the  least  interested  of 
all  the  great  crowd  assendjled  on  the  occasion.  He 
walked  from  the  jail  to  the  scailold,  which  had  heen 
nvcted  on  (he  commons,  at  a  [)oint  now  lying  very 
near  Fayette  street  where  it  is  ei'ossed  b\  the  rail- 
road.  On  the  route  to  the  scatt'old  he  was  guarded 
li\  the  "('uud)erland  (luards,' commanded  by  (,'ai)tain 
Alt'\;iiider  King,  with  a  drum  and  lile  in  advance. 
Tiic  services  at  the  [)lace  of  execution  were  (juite 
lengthy  and  impressive,  several  hynnis  being  sung, 
in  all  of  which  the  prisoner  joined.  During  the 
intervals  Chrise  sat  calmly  chewing  tobacco,  occa- 
siunally  rising  i'rom  his  seat  to  spit  beyond  the  fatal 
trap,  as  though  fearing  to  soil  it.  .fust  before  the 
last  moment  he  sang  in  a  clear,  loud  and  unbroken 
voice,  a  hymn  of  which  the  foUowing  couplet  is  a 
part : 

"This  lA  the  way  I  lonj,'  have  sought. 
And  mournod  because  I  found  it  not.'' 

Ihe  Sherifl".  Normand  Bruce,  was  deeply  aftected 
'•y  the  un])leasant  duty  he  was  called  on  to  perform, 
iiiid  it  was  doubtless  the  most  painful  act  of  his 
iif^'  When  the  rope  was  cut,  several  witnesses  of 
till'  scene  fainted,   and   much   excitement  prevailed 


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35fi 


HISTORY   OF   ('UMBERLANr».  [1S48-44. 


1 
1 

if 

i 

1 

1 

f 
1: 

Amongst  those  who  looked  on,  was  a  brother  of  the 
doomed  man,  who  seemed  to  be  but  little  affected, 
but  remarked,  ''It  is  a  pretty  hard  sight."  When 
lil'e  became  extinct  the  body  was  taken  down,  and 
conveyed  to  the  old  Court  House,  where  the  physi- 
cians made  some  experiments  with  it.  It  was 
afterwards  dissected,  and  "old  Joe  Shumate,"  an 
eccentric  man,  and  one  regarded  as  very  wicked, 
secured  a  portion  of  the  skin  and  tanned  it,  the 
leather  proving  soft  and  pliable, 

November  6. — The  Maryland  and  New  York  Coal 
and  Iron  Company  asked  permission  to  build  a  rail- 
road track  through  the  town,  but  the  Council 
declined  to  grant  it,  unless  the  sense  of  the  citizens* 
should  first  be  taken  upon  the  question. 

May  19,  1844. — Mayor  Thomas  Shriver;  Council- 
men,  John  (Jephart,  George  Shuck,  A.  McNeill. 
Benj.  Simkins,  A.  L.  Withers  and  Samuel  Eckles. 
Clerk,  Wm.  R.  McCuUey. 

The  Presidential  campaign  of  this  year  was  in 
many  respects  similar  to  that  of  1840.  The  Whigs 
carried  out  a  most  enthusiastic  campaign,  reproducing 
the  big  ball,  which  a  large  delegation,  clad  in  hunting 
shirts,  took  to  Baltimore,  and  rolled  through  the 
streets  of  that  city.  Under  the  guidance  of  Thomas 
Shriver  they  erected  on  Fort  Hill,  just  where  the 
Episcopal  Church  now  stands,  a  magnificent  Hag 
staff,  rigged  like  the  mast  of  a  vessel,  and  at  an 
elevation  of  250  feet  from  the  water  of  the  creek 
Hoated  a  Hag  seventy  feet  in  length. 
"  In  October  Howard  Shriver  and  Upton  R. 
Lowdermilk  were  appointed  a  commission  to  ascertain 


1845-47.] 


LOCAL    INCIDENTS. 


357 


'jir  was  111 


tlie  lines  of  such  streets  {is  were  closed,  and  to 
rtMiuiitJ  the  owners  thereof  to  o}x*n  them  and  free 
them  from  obstruction.  They  opened  (Jentre  street 
through  to  the  National  Road,  at  the  North  end  of 
the  town. 

May  5,  1845. — Mayor,  Thomas  Shriver;  Council- 
men,  John  Gephart,  George  Shuck,  A.  McNeill, 
Samuel  Eckles,  Benj.  Simkins,  and  A.  L.  Withers. 
Clerk,  George  F.  Shryer. 

May  6,  1846. — Mayor,  Thomas  Shriver;  Council- 
irien,  John  Gephart,  B.  Simkins,  Samuel  Eckles,  A. 
L.  Withers,  George  Shuck,  and  A.  McNeill.  Clerk, 
Cieorge  F.  Shryer. 

November  6. — Aix^hibald  Carey  puixjhased  the 
('ivilian,  and  took  charge  of  it. 

December  81. — "The  Mountaineer,"  a  new  weekly 
paper,  established  by  Calhm  &  (Jherry. 

January  1,  1847. — Lieutenant  W.  H.  Fowler,  of 
llie  Artillery  which  served  at  Palo  Alto,  arrived  for 
the  purpose  of  opening  an  office  to  enlist  recruits  to 
lill  up  the  ranks  of  the  First  Artillery.  A  number 
of  young  men  enlisted. 

The  assessed  value  of  the  proi)erty  of  the  county, 
at  thif'  date,  was  $4,234,720;  levy,  $10,586.80. 

April  4. — A  general  celebration  of  our  army's 
victories  in  Mexico  was  had. 

May  7. — A  fire  broke  out  at  4  i'.  m.,  in  a  small 
stable  belonging  to  Joseph  Dilley,  corner  George  and 
Union  streets.  The  large  stable  of  the  National 
Hoad  StJige  Company,  near  by,  caught,  and  was 
hunied  to  the  ground.  Two  horses,  tour  stages,  and 
ii  large  lot  of  grain  were  destroyed.      W.  F.  Triplett's 


358 


IIISTOKV    OK   riMHKHLAXO. 


[1847-48. 
Tlic 


dwelling  took  fire,  and  was  partially  ooiisumed 
loss  was  about  $5,000. 

May  11. — Mayor,  Thomas  Shriver;  (•ouncilmcii, 
John  Beall,  Peter  Gephart,  J.  M.  Maguiiv,  Joseiili 
Hughes,  John  Hunibird  and  J.  W.  Jones.  Clerk, 
Ceorge  F.  Shrjer. 

June  21. — George  W.  Clark,  a  young  man 
living  on  Bedford  street,  stuck  a  pick-ax  in  the 
ground  and  sat  down  on  a  shingle,  which  he  had  placed 
on  the  point  of  the  pick.  The  shingle  split,  and  tlic 
sharp  point  of  the  implement  penetrated  his  IxkIv, 
causing  injuries  from  which  he  died  in  a  few  hours. 

June  24. — John  Siders  fired  three  shots  from  a 
revolver  at  a  dancing  master  named  Martin.  The 
first  shot  passed  through  Martin's  hat,  and  the  third 
struck  him  in  the  shoulder,  Martin  lived  in 
Frederick,  and  Siders  alleged  that  he  had  caused  u 
separation  between  him  and  his  wife.  Siders  was 
tried  and  acquitted. 

During  the  summer  of  this  year  the  Lena  Fnniaco 
was  built  and  put  in  operation.  The  iron  ore  was 
obtained  from  the  Rose'  Hill  estate.  The  venture 
proved  unprofita])le.  sind  was  abandoned. 

December  1. — William  0.  Sprigg,  cashier  of  tlu' 
Mineral  Bank,  resigned,  and  Joseph  H.  Tucker,  of 
New^  York,  was  elected  to  the  office. 

Fulton  and  Polk  streets  were  graded  and  paved: 
Frederick  street  was  extended  beyond  Decatur,  and 
the  sidewalks  on  Decatur  street  were  paved. 

April  2,  1848. — An  alarm  of  fire,  about  U  o'clock 
at  night,  aroused  the  inhabitants,  and  the  sky  wiu^ 
illumined  by  a  brilliant  light,  caused  by  the  bm-ning 


1848.] 


LOCAL    INCIDENTS. 


59 


of  a  small  fra.    '  shanty  at  the  base  of  Shriver's  Hill, 
where  Iiidepondence  street  now  lies.     This  building 
was  used  for  storing  powder,  as  the  nierehants  were 
allowed  to  keep  only  small  ((uantities  in  their  stores. 
About  1,600   pounds  of  powder  was  stored  in  the 
house,  and    in    a    short  while    a    terrific    explosion 
(K'curred,  which  shook  every  house  in  the  town,  and 
made  a  report  which   was  heard   I'or  a  distance   ol' 
twenty  miles.     Fortunately  no  person    was  injured, 
though  the  windows  throughout  the  town  were  shat- 
tered.    The  large  and  handsome  brick   residence  of 
Mrs.  M.  C.  Sprigg,  in   the  grove  (now   occupied  by 
Judge  John  Coulehan),   was   much  damaged,   some 
of  the  walls  being  cracked,  and  the  structure  being 
jarred  from  the  foundations  to  the  roof.     The  fire  was 
the  malicious  work  of  incendiaries,  and,  although  a 
ivward  ol'  $250  wa«  offered  tor  their  discovery,  they 
were  never  detected. 

The  Mineral  Bank  building  (now  occupied  by  the 
First  National  Bank)  was  built  aud  occu))ied  early 
in  1848. 

March  30. — The  Mineral  Bank  closed  its  doors, 
and  the  officers  issued  a  card,  stating  that  the  sus- 
pension was  due  to  the  failure  of  Joseph  S.  Lake  & 
Co.,  of  New  York,  who  had  a  large  amount  of  the 
bank's  notes,  drafts  and  bills  in  their  hands  for  col- 
lection. 

April  10.  -The  Mineral  Bank  oj)ened  its  doors, 
iiid  resumed  operations,  the  indebtedness  of  Laki'  & 
'  0.,  having  been  secured. 

May  12. — Mayor,  Thomas  Shriver;  Couneilnien, 
-lohn  (Jephart.   CJeorge   M.    Reid,   Jauies    Anderson, 


JJ60 


mSTOHV   OF   rUMBEKLAND. 


[1848. 


Peter  Gephart.  W.   W.  McKai^  and  George  Shuck. 
Clerk,  George  F.  Shrjer. 

This  ('oimcil  divided  the  town  into  two  diHtricts. 
the  first  comprising  all  that  part  lying  South  ol" 
Baltimore  street  and  all  West  of  Will's  Creek:  tlie 
second  embracing  the  remainder  of  the  town.  It 
was  ordered  that  the  taxes  levied  should  be  expended 
in  the  respective  districts  in  which  collected. 

June  5. — The  Cumberland  Savings  Bank  was 
organized  and  went  into  o})eration.  J.  R.  Annan, 
President;  Robert  Bruce,  Cashier. 

In  1847  the  Belvidere  Hall  Association  had  Ixioii 
organized,  the  officers  being:  President,  Thomas  1. 
McKaig;  Directors,  A.  Cowton,  G.  W.  Clabaugli 
and  Joseph  Sliriver;  Secretary,  William  ().  Sprigg: 
Treasurer.  E.  T.  Shriver.  Thev  erected  Belvidere 
Hall,  and  thus  furnished  the  public  a  very  creditable 
place  for  public  amusements. 

July  10th,  Belvidere  Hall  was  opened  for  the  first 
time,  by  Edmund  Peale,  of  Philadelphia,  lesse.  with 
the  Virginia  Serenaders. 

The  first  telegraph  line  erected  here  was  com- 
pleted in  August,  and  extended  from  Cumberland  to 
Bedford.     The  builder  was  Henry  O'Reily. 

Another  line  between  Cumberland  and  Baltimore 
was  opened  a  few  weeks  later,  and  the  office  was 
located  in  a  frame  building,  about  where  Mr.  Alplieiis 
Beall's  residence  now  stands. 

The  principal  hotels  at  this  time  were  the  •'  United 
States,"  (now  "St.  Nicholas")  kept  by  A.  Cowton: 
the  "Barnum,"  kept  by  Barnum  &  Stephens:  the 
"Virginia  Hotel,"  kept  by  Washingt<m   Evans;  the 


1848-49.] 


LOCAL    INCIDENTS. 


3fil 


"National"  kopt  In  Jaiiios  Scaright,  and  afterward.s 
t)V  James  Black. 

October  4. — Countv  ComniisHioners:  John  Hoye. 
Will.  Fear,  Robert  Koss.  Francis  Mattingly,  Daniel 
Wineow,  Peter  Smouse,  James  Twigg,  L.  Benton. 
George  Robinettt^  and  Isaac  Thompson ;  Sheriff,  John 
Barnard. 

November  3. — At  the  Presidential  election  the 
vote  for  Cumberland  was  713  for  Cass,  and  517  for 
Taylor;  in  the  County  1,619  for  Cass  and  1,579  for 
Taylor. 

The  Whig  miners  at  Eckhart  had  a  cannon  cast  at 
the  foundry  of  A.  B.  Tower  in  Cumberland.  It  w^as 
made  of  iron  fro\u  ore  mined  in  Allegany  County, 
fused  by  Allegany  coal,  and  was  named  "Allegany." 
They  fired  fifteen  guns  as  a  salute  to  ^'old  Zack." 
one  gun  for  each  vote  of  Frostburg's  majority. 

In  November  the  Maryland  Mining  Company  was 
engaged  in  building  its  railroad  through  the  Narrows, 
mid  across  the  Creek  to  the  basin,  near  Washington 
street. 

December  30. — Under  the  weight  of  a  heavy  fall 
of  snow,  the  shed  of  the  Good  Intent  Stage  Com- 
pany fell.  Mr.  Thomas  Keid  was  caught  under  it, 
and  had  his  leg  broken. 

January  12,  1849. — The  Town   Council  passed  a 

resolution  giving   the  Baltimore  and   Ohio   Railroad 

tho  privilege  of  using  steam  j)ower  on  the  line  of  their 

road  within   the   limits  of  the  corporation,   in  per- 

l)otiiity,  on  condition  that  the  speed  of  trains  should 

Ijf  limited  to  six  miles  per  hour,  inside  the  corporate 

limits. 
46 


n62 


HISTORY  OF    CUMBERLAND. 


[1840. 


Jauuary  10. — Miles  Alwino,  a  .stage  driver,  was 
shot  and  killed  by  William  G.  Mitchell,  at  a  house 
of  ill-repute,  on  North  Centre  ntreet. 

February  4. — Samuel  Jenkins,  a  colored  man,  dit-d 
at  Lancahter  Ohio,  aged  115  years.  lie  was  born  a 
.slave,  and  was  the  property  of  Captain  Broadwater, 
(jf  Fairfax  county,  Va.,  and  drove  a  provision  train 
over  the  mountains,  in  the  J5raddock  campaign. 
He  was  doubtless  the  last  of  the  men  who  took 
part  in  that  disastrous  affair. 

February  22,  —General  Taylor  arrived  here  from 
the  West,  and  stopped  at  Barnum's  Hotel.  In  the 
evening  he  had  an  enthusiastic  reception,  and  made 
a  speech  from  a  window,  though  feeble  and  suflferinjr 
from  a  fall  he  had  at  Madison,  Indiana. 

March  5. — ^On  this  evening  the  United  States 
Hotel  was  the  scene  of  great  excitement.  The  pro- 
prietor of  the  hotel  was  A.  (^owton,  a  highly  esteemed 
gentleman,  who  had  some  years  before  married  Mrs. 
Quantrel,  the  former  wife  of  Jesse  D.  E.  Quantrel. 
Quantrel  was  a  finely  formed,  handsome  man,  witli  a 
soft  voice,  and  polished  manners.  He  was  possessed 
of  a  naturally  fine  mind,  an<l  had  read  and  studied 
much.  While  quite  a  young  man  he  wooed  and  won 
an  estimable  young  lady,  of  good  family,  and  they 
lived  together  in  Williamsport,  Washington  county. 
Md.  For  a  year  after  marriage  their  wedded  life  was 
happy.  Becoming  embarrassed,  he  made  application 
for  the  benefit  of  the  bankrupt  laws,  and  was  after- 
wards arrested  '  •  a  charge  of  fraudulent  insolvency, 
and  was  confined  in  the  jail  for  six  months,  whither 
his  faithful  wife  tbllowed  him,  sharing  his  confinement. 


1840.] 


JKSSE    I).    E.    lilANTHKL. 


30n 


Upon  trial,  he  was  acquitted,  and  set  at  liberty,  alter 
which  he  removed  to  St.  Louis.  He  was  there 
guilty  of  fraudulent  practices,  and  w^us  thrown  into 
prison,  but  was  released  through  a  compromise 
effected  by  his  wife,  on  condition  that  he  would 
return  with  her  to  Maryland.  They  came  as  far  East 
as  (.'incinnati,  and  then  went  to  New  Orleans,  where 
he  shamefully  neglected  his  much  abused  wife,  and 
plunged  into  dissipation.  Her  health  gave  way 
under  the  mental  suffering  she  endured,  and,  stung 
with  temporary  remorse,  he  abandoned  his  haunts. 
and  they  started  again  for  Maryland.  While  on  the 
river,  however,  a  few  days  after  leaving  New  Orleans, 
ho  committed  a  forgery  on  a  Cincinnati  bank,  for 
which  he  was  arrested,  and  sent  to  the  Cincinnati 
jail.  After  seven  months,  she  secured  his  release  <m 
bail,  which  he  forfeited,  and  made  his  way  to 
Hagerstown.  True  to  his  evil  instincts,  he  committed 
another  forgery  before  reaching  that  place,  and  was 
again  imprisoned,  but  soon  escaped.  Other  crimes  of 
a  similar  nature  followed,  until  finally  he  was  sent  to 
the  Pennsylvania  penitentiary  for  forgery,  and  served 
a  term  of  three  years.  His  wife,  at  the  solicitation 
of  her  friends,  finally  determined  to  free  herself  from 
so  bad  a  man,  and  the  Maryland  Legislature  annulled 
the  marriage.  This  made  Quantrel  furious,  and  hi; 
threatened  to  wreak  a  fearful  revenge  upon  her  and 
her  friends.  Upon  his  release  from  prison,  however, 
he  quickly  married  a  Philadelphia  woman,  and  in  a 
few  weeks  was  again  arrested  for  forgery,  and  sent  to 
the  penitentiary  for  seven  years.  Mrs.  Quantrel  then 
married   Mr.   A.    Cowton,  and  they  took    up   their 


:;()4 


lUSTOBY    OF    (  UMHKKLANI>. 


[1849. 


roHidoiice  in  (Jmnberland,  vvIutc  they  were  highly 
eHteemed.  (^ijintrel's  imprisonmciit  came  to  an  end 
in  the  .sinmier  of  1848;  but  nothing  was  heard  of 
him  here  until  on  the  r)tli  of  March,  1849,  he  arrived 
in  Cumberhind,  on  the  evening  train.  He  at  once 
inquired  for  Mrs.  Cowton,  at  the  hotel,  (learning  that 
Mr.  Cowton  was  absent,)  find  was  shown  to  her 
room  by  the  unsus[)eeting  servant.  Entering  tlie 
room,  where  the  hidy  was  seated  alone,  he  h)cked  the 
door,  and  seized  her,  with  a  threat  to  kill  her.  The 
lady  cried  for  help,  when  Quantrel  caught  her  by  the 
throat,  threw  her  to  the  floor,  placed  his  knee  on  her 
breast,  and  attempted  to  shoot  her,  but  for  some  reason 
his  pistol  missed  lire.  While  he  was  in  the  act  of 
drawing  a  knife,  a  numl)er  of  gentlemen  came  to  her 
rescue,  and  Quantrel  was  securely  bound  with  a  rope 
and  committed  to  jail.  On  the  19th  of  April  he  was 
tried,  convicted  and  siniteneed  to  five  years  imprison- 
ment in  the  county  jail,  and  a  (ine  of  $500.  He 
soon  became  a  favorite  at  the  prison,  and  was  per- 
mitted to  walk  about  the  groujids,  becoming  in  facta 
a  sort  of  assistant  jailor. 

On  the  20th  of  November,  1851,  he  was  pardoned 
b}^  the  Governor,  on  condition  that  he  should  leave 
the  State  and  never  return. 

Quantrel  afterwards  led  a  life  of  criminal  romance, 
a  portion  of  the  time  under  the  name  of  Dr.  Hayne. 
and  is  said  to  have  married  no  less  than  six  ladies. 
some  of  whom  were  of  high  social  standing.  During 
the  civil  war  between  the  States,  he  became  a  noto- 
rious bushwhacker  and  rcjbber,  and  finally  died  about 
the  time  of  the  close  of  hostilities.  -        t^ 


lS4i».] 


LOCAL    INCIDKNTS. 


365 


The  extent  of  the  passenger  travel,  over  the 
National  Road  dnrin<^  1849  was  inmiense.  and  the 
report  of  the  agents  showed  that  from  the  1st  to  the 
•IWih  of  March,  the  nnmber  of  ]»erso)is  carried  was 
■1M\. 

The  Post  Office  was  on  this  diite  removed  to  a  one- 
story  frame  bnilding,  wliich  stood  back  some  forty 
ti'ct  from  the  cnrb,  on  lialtimore  street,  adjoining  the 
Savings  Bank,  where  Reynohl's  bloci^  now  stands. 
James  ('.  Magraw  was  the  Postmaster. 

May  14. — Mayor,  Thos.  F.  White;  Conncilmen, 
A  fionder,  Baptist  Mattingly,  Sanuiel  So3'ster,  John 
B,  Widener,  Gerrard  S.  Watts,  and  Francis  Madore. 
Clerk,  John  T.  Hoblitzell. 

Liberty  street  was  extended  from  Baltimore  to 
Harrison. 

June  2. — Thomas  Shriver.  wlio  iiad  been  for  so 
many  years  Mayor,  and  under  whose  administration 
>o  many  important  improvements  had  been  made, 
ik'livered  his  farewell  address  to  the  Council.  It  is 
not  probable  that  Cumberland  will  ever  again  have 
ii  Mayor  who  will  so  generously  devote  his  time  to 
the  public  good  or  leave  so  many  monuments  to  his 
energy,  zeal,  good  judgment  and  self-sacrifice. 

In  the  summer  of  1849  the  (Jouncil  ordered 
the  destruction  of  the  old  ta\erii  building  near 
Baltimore  street,  as  it  had  become  a  nuisance. 

The  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad  (Company  was 
•ngaged  at  this  time  in  extending  its  road  to  the 
Ohio  River.  Surveys  had  been  made  for  a  line  on 
the  Vii'ginia  side  of  the  river,  and  the  citizens  fearing 
th'ft  route  might  be  adopted,   presented  to  the  Com- 


3GG 


HISTOKV    OF     CUMBERLAND. 


[1841». 


paiiy  inanv  roanon^  why  the  road  slumld  Itc 
taken  thr<)u«;h  (/umhcrland.  Kvontiially  the  Viririnj.., 
project  wiiH  ahaiidoncd,  and  the  route  tlirou^'li 
Cumberland  detenniiied  upon.  Durhig  thin  year  the 
construction  of  the  spkmdid  viaduct  acu'o.ss  tlie  town 
waH  commenced. 

June  18. — Hugh  Walker,  a  watchman  of  tin 
railroad  e()m{)}uiy  at  the  depot,  waH  run  over  by  the 
cars  at  the  crossing  at  Baltimore  street,  and  wsis 
killed. 

June  27. — A  convention  of  the  Presidents  and 
Directors  of  coal  companies,  individual  proprietors 
and  lessees  of  lands,  engaged  in  coal  mining  in  tin- 
county,  was  held  at  the  (yourt  House,  and  resolutioir- 
ado{)ted  for  tlie  organization  of  a  Hoard  of  Tnidi. 
which  should  have  the  power  of  regulating  the  rates 
of  mining,  and  the  prices  at  which  coal  should  In 
sold  at  different  points. 

For  several  years  James  (J.  Magraw  had  bciii 
principal  ol'  the  Academy,  but  upon  his  appointment 
as  Postmaster  he  resigned,  and  Allen  P.  Weld,  of 
Boston,  was  made  principal.  He  had  for  his  assist- 
ant W.  H.  Boardman,  and  Captain  De  Hass  was 
engaged  as  Military  Instructor.  The  new  principal 
declared  the  Academy  building  insufficient  for  tlu' 
accommodation  of  the  pupils,  and  the  Trustees  at 
once  secured  from  the  citizens  subscriptions  for  tin 
erection  of  a  suitable  structure.  The  County  Com- 
missioners  appropriated  for  the  purpose  the  hit 
occupied  by  the  old  Clerk's  offices,  adjoining  tlie 
jail.  On  this  site  was  built  the  present  Acadeinv 
building,  which  has  a  frontage  of  4e5  feet  and  a  depth 


Ih4!).] 


U)CAL    1N(UI)KNTS. 


3G7 


III"  (iO  feot ;  it  is   two  storioH  high,  witli  a   Grecian 

portico,  eight  feet  wide,  sustained  ])y  Doric  cohnnns. 

The  [)rincipal  room  on  the  second  floor,   is   42    I'eet 

MjUiire,    and   has    recitation   rooms  adjoining.     The 

Idwcr  Hoor   has  a  wide   hall   and   two  large  school 

rooms.     The  new  building  was  occupied  June  8, 1850. 

At  the    election    in   tlie    fall   Thomas  I.   McKaig 

received     1,682    vottns  for  Congress,  and  William  T. 

lliunilton  1,720.     Hamilton   was   elected,  re<3eiving 

ill  tiie  District  7,274  votes,  against  7,158  for  McKaig. 

The  Delegates  to  the  liCgislature  were  J.    Sands 

Fell,  George  B.    M.    Price,  Jacob   Reel    and  George 

Kildow . 

October  10. — The  old  engine  house  at  the  Balti 
more  street  bridge  was  removd  to  the  Bedford  Road, 
mid  the  warehouses  of  Clabaugh  and  Bruce  erected. 
October  28. — A  riot  occurred  on  Bedford  street, 
near  the  Market  house,  between  the  Far-Downs  and 
•  'onnaught  men,  who  had  been  spending  the  Sabbath 
ill  drinking  and  carousing,  and  numerous  "shilalehs" 
were  Ireely  used,  to  the  great  detriment  of  sundry 
heads. 

November  7. — Henry  Clay  arrived  from  the 
West,  on  his  way  to  Washington.  He  came  from 
Wlieeling  in  one  of  the  cojichesof  the  "Good  Tiitent" 
line,  and  while  passing  through  Uniontown  it  was 
upset  by  the  carelessness  of  the  driver.  Mr.  Clay 
was  smoking  a  cigar  at  the  time  of  the  accident, 
and  preserved  such  a  degree  of  self-possession  that 
lit'  continued  to  puff  away  very  cooly,  even  when 
;?oing  over. 
Februar- 18, 1850. — John  J.  Hickman,  a  destitute 


368 


rirsToKV  OF  (;umbeki,axd. 


[I8:>u 


lellow,  hanii't'd  liimsell"  mider  the  plationn  of  one 
of  the  warohouses  of  tlic  Baltimore  and  Oliio  Rail- 
road. 

At  the  January  sewsion  oi'  tlie  Legisbitiuv  the 
following  acts  were  passed:  Providing  for  tlie  pur- 
chase of  hind  and  erection  ()(  an  Ahns  House;  incor- 
porating tlie  town  of  Frostbui'g;  enlarging  the  [)()W('rs 
and  authority  of  the  C:)uncilnien  of  the  town  of 
Cumljerland ;  ;  ithorizing  the  rebuilding  of  the  jail, 
incorporating  the  (Juniberland  and  Pennsylvaiiin 
Railroad. 

April  21. — Jos<^ph  iM'unmawas  sliot  and  l^illed  In 
August  Beernian  and  Joseph  Stick,  both  of  wliom 
fired  upon  him  at  th«i  same  instant,  Mumma  eiidcnv- 
oied  to  enter  the  house  of  Mrs.  Bet/all.  on  the  North 
end  of  Mechanic  street,  when  the  t\v\)  men  naiiiod. 
who  were  inside,  shot  iiini.  They  were  arrested  and 
sent  to  jail  on  a  charge  of  murder. 

May  5. — Mayor,  Thomas  Shriver;  ('ouncilnuii. 
Frederick  Shipley,  John  Beall,  John  B.  Wideiii'i. 
Jesse  Korns.  (Jeorge  Hughes,  and  F.  B.  Tower. 

County  Commissioners:  John  T.  FjdwaiJs,  Noi- 
mand  Bruce,  (Uistavus  Beall.  George  Rizer.  and  John 
J.  Ilofl'man. 

June  II. — For  years  the  completion  of  the  Chesn- 
peake  and  Ohio  (^anal  had  been  looked  forward  to  in 
the  people  of  Maryland  with  the  greatest  auxietv 
and  brightest  anticipations  Cmnberland,  more  thiiii 
all  others,  was  interesuni,  as  her  future  depended  updn 
it.  And  now  the  long  looked  for  hour  was  near  iit 
hand.  On  this  date  the  western  level  was  declaivd 
ready   for   the  current.     At  5  o'clock  p.  m.,  Cliiirlf:- 


1850.] 


LOCAL    INCIDKNTS. 


869 


B,  Fisk,  the  Chiof  Eiiiriiieer.  ojK'iied  the  wickets  in 
the  teed-gates,  and  the  waters  of  the  Potomac  rushed 
gladly  into  the  new  channel,  which  was  soon  to  prove 
an  artery  of  vital  import  to  the  interests  of  the 
County.  Great  crowds  of  i)eople  <!:athered  at  the 
locks  to  witness  the  cei'emonv.  When  the  level  was 
filled,  a  party  w^ent  to  the  l)oat  yard  of  J.  H.  Clark. 
on  the  Creek,  above  the  bridge,  an<l  wero  fiuiiished 
with  a  new  canal  boat,  on  which  sever<al  hrndred 
persons  end>arked,  and  Hoated  down  to  the  locks. 
Here  Major  Thomas  G.  Harris  was  requested  to 
name  the  boat,  which  was  to  be  the  lirst  to  go  into 
the  canal.  Major  Harris  promptly  responded  in  a 
brief  s})eech,  concluding  by  christening  the  boat  the 
•'Ciunberland."  Amidst  great  enthusiasm  the  "'Cum- 
Ijcrlaud"  was  then  passed  through  the  lock  into  the 
Clu'sapeake  and  Ohio  Canal,  and  floated  calmly  on 
the  bosom  of  the  great  water-way.  A  more  complete 
account  of  this  important  w«)rk  will  be  given  in  future 
pages. 

-Tune  27. — During  the  j)revalence  of  a  severe 
timnder  storm,  the  stage  stable  oi"  the  National  Road 
Stage  Company  was  struck  by  lightning,  and  burned 
to  the  ground,  together  with  James  Spriggs  livery 
■stable. 

July  4. — A  daily  line  oi'  stages  was  established 
l)et\veen  Cinnberland  and  Bedford.  An  effort  w^as 
imule  to  organize  a  company  to  build  a  plank  road 
to  Bedford,  but  proved  unsuccessful 

During  the  summer  of  this  vear  there  was  great 
rivalry   between    the  fire  companies,  wdiich   led   to 

'lightly  acts  of  incendiarism,  and  riots      The  Council 

47 


370 


HISTORV   OF    rUM«ERLANr>. 


[1850. 


fiiiiilly  adopted  soverc  uu'usuros.   whoreb}    the  evil 
was  checked. 

The  small-pox  broke  out  with  considerable  viru- 
lence, and  wa.s  not  eradicated  for  several  months. 

A  plank  road  was  built  from  (Jum])erland  to  West 
Newton,  Pa.,  at  the  head  of  steamboat  navigation 
on  the  Youghiogany.  The  officers  were  Thomii.^ 
Shriver,  of  Cumberland,  President;  James  (J.  Atclii- 
son,  William  H.  Steele,  Alpheus  Beall,  A.  M. 
Shoemaker  and  John  A.  Woart,  managers;  and  Dr. 
Howard  Kennedy,  Treasurer. 

In  Sei)tember,  Thomas  McLaughlin,  an  Irishman, 
employed  on  the  works  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
Railroad,  near  Oldtown,  killed  his  wife,  and  Imried 
her  body  under  the  earth  at  a  point  that  was  being 
tilled  up  to  grade,  expecting  the  carts  to  be  dumped 
there  in  the  morning,  whereby  she  would  be  entirely 
hidden.  The  body  was  discovered,  however,  and  the 
murderer  was  arrested,  tried  and  convicted.  Judgt' 
Weisel  sat  in  the  case,  and  John  M.  Brewer  was  the 
Prosecuting  Attorney,  assisted  by  Henry  W.  Hoff- 
man, then  a  young  and  rising  lawyer.  On  the  7th  ot 
March,  1851,  McLaughlin  was  hanged,  in  a  hollow 
on  the  old  pike,  a  short  distance  beyond  the  termina- 
tion of  Grnen  street.  The  weather  was  cool,  and  a 
slight  snow  fell.  There  was  a  great  crowd  of  \wo\)h 
at  the  scene  of  execution,  embr;iciiig  men,  women  and 
children,  many  of  whom  came  from  adjoining  States, 

Septendjer  6. — William  Mitciiell,  who  shot  and 
killed  Michael  Allwine,  a  stage  driver,  in  Januarv. 
was  arrested  at  LaFayette,  Ind.,  and  was  released 
on   a    writ   of  habeas    torpus.     He    was   al'terward 


18oU-51.] 


LOCAL    INCIDENTS. 


371 


brought  back,  and  tried.  The  jury  rendered  a  ver- 
dict of  "  not  guilty,"  on  the  ground   of  self-defense. 

At  the  same  term  of  (Jourt,  Noveml>er,  1850, 
August  Becrnian  was  tried  for  the  murder  of  Joseph 
Munnna,  and  a<3<juitted. 

The  po[)ulation  of  (,'uniberland  at  this  time  was 
0,105,  Frostburg.  790,  and  of  the  County,  22,799. 

Jiuniary  2,  1(S51. — James  P]vans  and  George  W. 
Hoover,  commenced  the  publication  of  a  new  papei' 
called  ''The  Unionist." 

The  Mount  Savage  Iron  Com[)any,  in  conjunction 
witli  the  Messrs.  L>nn,  had  constructed  the  Potomac 
Wliiirf,  for  loading  boats  with  coal,  and  extended  its 
railroad  from  the  main  line,  at  the  Narrovrs,  to  the 
rivor.  passing  down  the  west  side  of  the  (Jreek,  and 
through  the  deep  cut  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
Railroad  to  the  river.  This  company  also  engaged 
larEjelv  in  the  manufacture  of  ''continuous"  railroad 
iron,  and  fire  brick,  at  Mount  Savage,  giving  employ- 
ment to  hundreds  of  men. 

It  also  extended  its  railroad  from  Mount  Savage, 
to  the  foot  of  the  hill  at  Frostburg,  where  it  received 
till'  coal  from  the  mines  opened  at  that  [)oint. 

The  Gerge's  Creek  Coal  and  Iron  Com])any,  whose 
coal  lands  are  located  at  Lonaconing.  during  this 
year  constructed  a  railroad  from  that  i)oint  to  Pied- 
inont.  where  it  connected  with  the  Baltimore  and 
Ohio  Road  jind  thus  prepared  for  the  transportation 
111  its  own  coal.  These  improvements  led  to  the 
rapid  development  of  the  coal  (ields,  and  largely 
enhanced  the  value  of  all  the  property  lying  along 
tlic  lines  of  the  new  roads. 


:M2 


rilSTORV   OK   (;UMBKKLAND. 


[1851. 


Mayor,  l>«iniol  Saylor;  ( ■ouncllinen,  John  B.  Wide- 
iier,  Epliraim  Shipley,  (i.  S.  Watts,  B,  M.  Blocher, 
8.  A.  Vrooman,  and  D.  W.  McCleary. 

County  Commissioners  :  R.  Fairall,  John  Fraiitz. 
T.  W.  Dawson,  II.  Broteniariilo,  H.  D.  ('arleton. 
Jesse  Wilson,  E.  R.  En^le,  A.  Chisliolm,  Leonidas 
Bevans,  George  McCJulloh,  F.  L.  Friend  and  U.  R. 
Long. 

April  30,  -Richard  W.  (Jhirk,  a  shoemaker,  at 
FHntstone,  was  arrested  on  a  charge  of  murdering  hif* 
wife,  by  strangulttion,  and  s«Mit  to  the  i)enitentiary 
for  eighteen  years.  He  afterwards  confessed  the 
murder. 

October  1. — The  election  for  Congressmen  resulted 
in  the  county  in  LoGi)  votes  for  Wm.  T.  Hamilton. 
Democrat,  and  1,542  for  J.  Philip  Roman,  Whig. 
Hamilton's  majority  in  the  District  was  282. 

State  Senator,  Wm.  Weber;  Delegates  to  General 
Assembly,  John  Everett,  Richard  Fairall,  Jefferson 
M.  Price,  and  John  Frantz,  of  Joseph. 

Register  of  Wills,  Wm.  R.  McCulley;  State's  Attor- 
ney, Josiah  H.  Gordon;  Sheriff,  George  M.  Blocher. 

Orphans'  Court :  Jacob  Fechtig,  Edward  Mullen, 
and  Jasper  Robinett. 

County  Commissioners:  J.  W.  Browning,  George 
Matthews,  Eli  Engle,  G.  W.  Dawson,  C.  A.  Scott,  N. 
D.  Smith,  A.  Willison,  Elza  McElfish,  James  Watson. 
Jesse  Wilson,  J.  McC.  Mason,  and  Perry  Schultz. 
Clerk  of  the  (Jourt,  Horace  Resley.    -    - 

A  passenger  packet  was  placed  on  the  canal  and 
made  regular  trips,  between  (Cumberland  and  George- 
town, carrying  a  full  list  of  passengers. 


1851-52.] 


LOCAL    LVCIDENTS. 


373 


November  2. — The  Mountaineer  and  Pioneer  Hose 
(Companies  visited  Baltimore,  and  toolc  part  in  the 
Firemen's  Parade  there,  the  former  as  the  guests  of 
the  New  Market  Company,  and  the  latter  as  guests 
of  the  Vigilant  Company.  Our  firemen  made  a  fine 
display,  and  were  highl}-  complimented.  The 
Mountaineers  had  their  apparatus  surmounted  with 
;i  splendid  buck,  which  was  afterwards  served  up  for 
dinner. 

February  11, 1852 . — A  distressing  tragedy  occurred 
on  the  evening  of  this  day,  which  plunged  a  large 
immlx3r  of  persons  into  the  deepest  distress,  and 
created  the  most  intense  excitement.  About  7  o'clock 
in  the  evening  Robert  Swann,  stepped  into  the  Large 
room  used  as  can  office  and  bar-room,  of  the  Barnum 
Hotel,  armed  with  a  double-barrelled  shot  gun,  with 
which  he  instantly  fired  at  William  O.  Sprigg,  of 
Joseph,  who  was  seated  near  the  stove.  Imme- 
(hiitely  upon  seeing  Swann  raise  the  gun,  Sprigg 
sprang  to  a  door  opening  into  a  side  yard  ;  the  door 
was  fastened,  however,  and  being  unable  to  open  it 
he  turned  to  escape  through  another  door,  some 
twelve  feet  distant,  opening  into  the  dining  room. 
The  first  shot  fired  by  Swann  passed  through  the 
woodwork  of  the  door,  a  few  stray  shots  taking  effect 
in  the  object  of  his  aim.  Sprigg  had  hardly  taken 
half  a  dozen  steps  when  Swann  fired  again,  with 
'loadly  aim,  the  charge  entering  the  back  of  Sprigg's 
iK'ck  at  the  base  of  the  skull,  and  lodging  in  the 
pupil  of  his  right  eye,  causing  instant  death.  Swann, 
who  made  no  effort  to  escape,  was  arrested  and  con- 
i^igiied  to  jail.     This   tragedy  was   the   result  of  a 


■u 


IIISTOKY    OK    CUMBKKLANI). 


[W)'>. 


(juarrel  which  occurred  between  the  tw^o  young  men 
some  months  previous.  Both  were  of  higli  social 
standing,  and  the  consequence  was  a  great  bitterni'ss 
of  feeling  between  their  respective  friends.  On  the 
fith  of  May,  Swann's  trial  was  begun.  His  Honor. 
Judge  Perry,  decHned  to  sit  in  the  case,  l)eing  a  lu-ar 
rehitive  of  the  prisoner,  and  Judge  J.  J.  Merrick,  of 
Washington  county,  took  his  place  on  the  bench.  The 
prosecuting  attorney.  J.  H.  Gordon,  before  the  jurv 
had  been  fully  impanelled,  applied  for  a  removal  of 
the  case,  on  the  ground  that  an  impartial  trial  could 
not  be  had  here.  The  motion  was  argued  at  great 
length,  and  finally  granted.  Swann's  counsel  then 
asked  that  he  be  admitted  to  bail  ;  after  hours  of 
argument,  this  too  was  granted,  bail  being  (ixod  at 
.f20,000.  The  greatest  excitement  now  ifrevailed 
amongst  the  friends  of  all  parties,  and  on  the  one 
side  this  resulted  in  an  indignation  meeting,  and  the 
passage  of  resolutions  condemning  Judge  Merrick's 
action,  after  which  a  crowd  of  men  carried  an  efligv 
of  the  Judge  through  the  streets  on  a  scaffold,  and 
burned  it  in  front  of  the  Revere  House.  Eventu- 
ally Swann  was  tried  in  Washington  C.^ounty  and 
acquitted. 

April  1. — Washington  Evans  left  the  Virginia 
House,  and  took  the  United  States  Hotel,  the 
former  proprietor,  A.  Cowton,  having  removed  to 
Baltimore.  On  the  1st  of  June,  J.  A.  Heftelfiiigei 
left  Barnum's  Hotel  and  opened  the  Revere  House. 
which  had  just  been  finished  in  the  most  attractivt 
manner. 

March  9. — The  annual  Conference   of  the  Metli"- 


1852.] 


LOCAL  INCIDENTS. 


.)  i  0 


(list  Pjpiscopal  Church  was    held  here,  reniaiiiing  in 
I'ssion  one  week. 

April  18. — A  great  freshet  occurred,  the  river  and 
iioek  both  overflowing  their  bankvS.  The  water 
broke  through  the  wall  between  Bru(!e's  and  Brengle's 
warehouses,  on  (Janal  street,  and  a  considerable 
portion  ofthe  town  was  overflowed.  Both  the  railroad 
and  the  canal  were  badly  damaged,  the  latter  suffer- 
ing to  the  extent  of  |80,000. 

April  18. — David  Shriver  died,  in  the  84  thy  ear  of 
his  age.  He  had  been  engineer  in  charge  of  the 
construction  of  that  portion  of  the  National  Road  lying 
l)t'tween  Cumberland  and  Washington,  Pa.,  and  was 
at  the  time  of  his  death  President  of  the  (Jumberland 
Bank. 

March  1 .—  The  City  Council  concluded  that  it  was 
mcessary  to  establish  a  night  watch,  and  passed  an 
ordinance  for  that  purpose,  laying  off  the  town   into 

difiitricts,   and  appointing  a  captain   and  six  w^atch- 

iiien. 

May  12. — Mayor,  John  Hayes;  Councilmen,  H. 
1).  Carleton,  Jesse  Korns,  James  Duff,  Samuel  Ma- 
i[uire,  F.  M.  Gramlich,  and  D.  W.  McCleary. 

The  corporation  tax  was  fixed  at  50  cents  on  each 
•^100.  and  $1,000  was  appropriated  towards  building 
an  engine  house  for  the  Mountaineer  Hose  Company-, 
the  building  being  located  on  South  Liberty  street, 
corner  of  Hay  street. 

May  21. — H.  W.  HofTman  purchased  a  half  interest 
in  "The  Civilian,"  and  became  associate  editor  with 
Archibald  Carey. 

October  7. — In  order  to  furnish  better  facilities  for 


376 


HISTOKV    OF    ('UMHKRLAND. 


[1853. 


protection  against  fire,  the  authorities  had  larirf 
cisterns  built  in  the  streets  in  various  sections  of  the 
town.  Tliese  proved  very  useful  on  many  occasions. 
and  were  relied  upon  until  the  establishment  of  the 
Holly  system  of  water  works,  in  1871,  wlien  tliov 
became  useless. 

Jaiuuiry  10. — The  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad 
was  opened  for  travel  l)etween  (Jumberland  and 
Wheeling,  and  two  great  excursion  trains  passed  ovor 
the  road,  from  Baltimore  to  the  Western  terminus. 
The  effect  was  soon  felt  in  Cumberland,  as  most  of 
the  stage  lines  were  taken  off,  and  the  great  business 
of  transferring  merchandise  at  this  point  was  large!} 
diminished. 

February  7,  1853.— D.  W.  McCleary,  James  Dull 
and  H.  D.  Carleton  were  appointed  a  conunittee  to 
have  the  town  surveved,  with  a  view  to  the  exton- 
sion  of  the  corporate  limits. 

February  14. — "Hofl'man's  Row,"  the  three  storv 
block  of  buildings  extending  from  Liberty  to  ('cntre 
streets,  on  Baltimore  street,  was  set  on  fire  by  an 
incendiary,  and  a  great  conflagration  resulted.  The 
upper  story  of  the  block  was  burned  from  one  street  to 
the  other,  as  well  as  four  or  five  houses  adjoining.  The 
losses  by  fire,  water,  breakage,  theft,  &c.,  were  very 
heavy.  On  the  same  day  several  other  houses  were 
set  on  fire,  amongst  them  Belvidere  Hall,  the  United 
States  Hotel,  and  Semmes'  block,  corner  Baltimore 
and  Mechanic  streets.  Fortunately  the  fire  was 
discovered  in  these  buildings  before  any  damage  was 
done. 

March    7. — The    Pioneer  Hose  Company  having 


1853.] 


LOCAl-  INriDKNTS. 


87 


iiiulertakeii  thv  coiiHtrnction  of  its  new  houHe,  corner 
of  Centre  and  Frederick  streets,  the  city  approjjriated 
:J;1,000  towards  payinji;  for  tlie  same. 

March  7. — A  great  <lisaster  occurred  on  the  Balti- 
more and  Ohio  Raih'oad,  one  mile  from  the  (Jheat 
River  bridge,  on  the  heavy  grade.  While  passing 
down  the  grade,  the  passenger  train  was  thrown 
from  the  track,  and  several  of  the  cars  rolled  down 
the  mountain  side.  Seventeen  persons  were  killed, 
and  thirty-nine  wounded  hadl y.  Almost  every  person 
on  the  train  was  more  or  less  hurt.  The  killed  and 
wouiuled  were  brought  to  Cumberland,  and  cared  for 
;it  the  Revere  House. 

April  1. — Washington  Evans  took  charge  of 
Biirnuiu's  Hotel. 

The  United  States  Hotel  was  improved,  remodeled 
luid  greatly  enlarged,  by  M.  P.  O'Hern,  and  opened 
as  the  finest  hotel  in  Western  Maryland. 

April  28.— The  "(.'umberland  Telegraph,"  a 
weekly  newspaper,  luid  been  established  in  1851, 
In  Hilleary  &  Ogden.  On  the  above  date  T.  E. 
Ogden  sold  his  one-half  interest  to  Aza  Beall,  who 
shortly  afterward  ])urcliased  Hilleary 's  share,  and 
iKcanie  sole  editor  and   i)roprietor. 

Messrs  T.  I.  McKaig.  William  W.  McKaig, 
Alpheus  Beall  .1.  H.  Tucker.  M.  P.  O'Hern,  S.  M. 
Semines,  M.  O.  Davidson  and  A.  T.  Roberts  formed 
ii  joint  stock  company,  and  erected  and  put  into 
operation  a  cotton  factory,  which  was  located  at  the 
rxtreme  north  end  of  Centre  street.  The  mill  was 
managed  by  Ira  Stan brough. 

May  6. — Mavor.  F.  B.  Tower;  Councilmen,  D.  W. 

48 


.'}78 


niST(M<V   oi'    (UMKERLAND. 


[l8o 


McCMcary,    .lolm    K.    KiisscU,    Josst^   KoniH,  .Joseph 
llu<2,lu'8,  llonry  Slmck  and  J.  B.  11.  CainplM'll. 

Davidson  street  was  ^railed  and  paved  in  .Tinic. 

The  brid<^e  over  Will's  ( Veek  Ixicame  unsafe,  many 
of  the  timbers  having  rotted  and  given  way,  and 
in  August  it  wms  i)ro})[)ed  up  with  heavy  timl)er8. 
Steps  were  at  onee  taken  towards  having  it  replaced 
by  an  iron  structure. 

July  27. — The  Postottiee  was  removed  to  No.  93 
Baltimore  street,  by  W.  A.  Taylor,  P.  M.,  where  it 
remained  until  Novembt^r,  1800,  when  it  was* 
removed  to  a  new  building,  erected  for  the  ])ur{)08e, 
on  Centre  street,  Ix'tween  Baltimore  and  Frederick 
streets.  Will   H.  Lowdermilk  being  the  Postmaster. 

August  12. — Thonuis  (Jcmner,  jailor,  was  killed 
while  engaged  in  (coupling  cars  at  the  Cumberland 
Coal  and  Iron  (\impany\s  wharf. 

A  little  daughter  of  U.  Stineman,  aged  8  years, 
fell  into  the  r.ice  near  Beall's  mill,  and  was  drowned. 

August  13. — A  son  of  Thomas  Sheridan,  aged  8 
years,  fell  into  the  canal,  and  was  drowned. 

August  16. — A  heavy  rain  of  several  days'  duration 
caused  the  river  and  creek  to  ovei'flow  their  banks 
and  a  great  part  of  the  town  was  inundated.  Bedford, 
Centre,  Liberty,  Mechanic,  Frederick  and  Baltimore 
streets  were  covered  with  water,  and  a  great  mass  of 
filth  and  ooze  was  deposited  in  the  streets,  cellars, 
&c.,  on  which  the  hot  sun  poured  down  for  several 
days,  generating  disease.  On  the  17th  a  case  of 
cholera  occurred,  and  this  was  followed  by  others,  the 
scourge  soon  becoming  epidemic,  and  producing  a 
panic.     Thousands  of  people  fled  to  the  country,  and 


1853-54.] 


LOCAL    INCIDKNTS. 


S7U 


to  distant  ritic«.  For  two  weeks  tlu>  town  was 
iilmost  de])oi>uliito(l,  business  liavin^r  been  abandoned. 
Tliose  who  remained,  and  es('ai)ed  the  disease,  devoted 
themselveH  lieroically  to  tlie  care  of  the  suflerers. 
At  the  expiration  of  two  weeiss  frost  came,  fortunately 
somewhat  earher  than  usual,  and  the  epidemic  ter- 
minated. During  that  time  theiv  were  fifty-live 
deaths  from  cliolera. 

Prominent  among  those  wiio  gave  themselv(?s 
unremittingly  to  the  relief  of  the  si(^k.  were  J.  II. 
r.  Morrison,  W.  11.  Billmire,  Asburj-  Simkins, 
Maria  Shuck,  Mrs.  McGirr  and  Mi-s.  I5acon.  The 
City  Council  in  September.  a])})ropriated  sums  of 
money  to  each  of  these  persons,  in  recH>gnition  of  their 
services. 

May  1,  1854. — Stone  arches  were  built  over  the 
race  on  South  Liberty  and  Harrison  streets,  each 
costing  about  $700. 

The  necessity  for  the  innnediate  construction  of  a 
new  bridge  over  Will's  Creek  became  so  a})[)arent 
that  active  steps  were  at  once  taken  by  the  County 
Commissioners,  The  board  proposed  to  the  City 
Council  that  the  cost  of  the  improvement  should  be 
divided  between  the  County  and  the  (Jity.  the  former 
to  pay  four-fifths  of  the  cost,  and  the  latter  one-fifth. 
The  proposition  was  promptly  accepted,  and  a  C(m- 
tract  made  with  a  Baltimore  firm  for  the  erection  of 
nn  iron  bridge  of  the  Bollman  pattern.  The  new 
structure  was  erected  before  the  close  of  the  year. 

May  7. — Mayor,  A.  L.  Withers;  Councilnjen, 
Joseph  Hughes,  John  B.  Keller,  John  T.  Peterman, 
B.  M.  Blocher,  Joseph  McCuUoh  and  James  Sullivan. 


380 


HlSiOKV    OK     (1  MHKRLANI).  [l854-')5. 


At  this  tiiiie  the  {^rouiid  now  occupied  by  Sutler's 
furniture  loonis  and  factory,  and  the  lotH  udjoiniiifr. 
were  vacant,  and  poorly  drained,  and  constituted  an 
uuHiglitly  marsh.  Tlie  authorities  caused  a  brick 
sewer  to  be  constructed,  crossing  Centre  and  Balti- 
more streets,  and  running  tlience  to  the  race  on 
vSouth  Lilxirty  street,  by  means  of  which  tolerable 
drainage  was  secured.  During  heavy  rains,  however. 
this  sewer  now  gets  choked  up  and  ))ursts,  as  its 
capacity  is  not  equal  to  the  volume  of  water  Hewing 
into  it. 

November  10. — The  city  was,  on  this  date,  lighted 
by  gas,  for  the  tirst  time.  The  Cumberland  Ga** 
Light  Company  was  organiz.ed  in  May,  1854,  Messrs. 
Pericardus  &  Iloye,  of  New  York,  Joseph  Shriver,  E. 
T.  Shrivor  and  Alpheus  Beall,  of  Cumberland,  being 
the  stockholders.  The  officers  of  the  corporation 
first  chosen  were  :  Joseph  Shriver,  President;  E.  T. 
Shriver,  Treasurer,  and  (J.  A.  Seay,  Superintendent. 
These  gentlemen  still  occupy  the  ])ositions  to  which 
they  were  then  chosen. 

December  21. — The  Council  passed  an  order 
authorizing  the  erection  of  twenty  iron  lamp  post.s. 
on  the  princi})al  streets,  at  a  cost  of  $25  each,  and 
contracted  with  theCJas  Light  Company  to  Hght  them 
with  gas  at  $80  each  per  annum. 

February  15,  1855. — The  City  Council  entered 
into  contract  with  (Jonnor  &  Brant,  for  cleaning  the 
streets,  for  one  year,  at  $095. 

April  23. — Columbia  street  was  graded  and  paved 
from  Bedford  street  to  the  alley  north  of  the  viaduct. 

May  8. — Mayor,    W.    W.    McKaig;    Councilnien. 


1855.] 


LOCAL    INCIDKNTS. 


nsi 


John  Beall,  Win.  (Jo[)liiirt,  Joshc  KoriiH,  FraiiciH 
Madore,  D.  W.  Mc( -leary  and  II.  Start/nian. 

August  25. — An  ordinance  was  pawsed  for  grading 
and  paving  Baltinioro  ntroet,  between  Mechanic 
street  and  the  new  iron  bridge. 

October  14. — Thin  (hiy  marked  the  brutal  murder 
of  two  citizens  of  Cuniberhind,  by  a  German  adven- 
turer known  as  Frederick  Miller.  Miller's  antece- 
dents were  unknown,  but  he  had  been  in  Cumberland 
some  weeks,  and  formed  the  acquaintance  of  Dr.  J. 
F.  C.  Hadel,  a  practicing  physician,  and  a  popular 
gentleman.  Miller,  from  some  cause,  became  im- 
pressed with  the  belief  that  Dr.  Hadel  carried  on  his 
person  a  considerable  sum  of  money,  and  with  a  view 
to  securing  it,  he  determined  upon  the  Doctor's 
murder.  On  Sunday  nioi-ning,  October  14,  he  called 
on  Dr.  Hadel,  and  by  some  means  induced  him  to  go 
with  him  into  the  woods,  on  foot,  taking  him  along 
the  old  turnpike,  through  Sandy  Gap,  to  a  point 
within  sight  of  the  National  Road.  When  they 
arrived  at  the  old  school  house,  near  the  Eckhart 
Railroad,  Miller  deliberately  shot  Dr.  Hadel  in  the 
back,  with  a  heavily  loaded  shot  gun.  The  wound 
must  have  produced  death  in  a  few  minutes.  The 
wretch  then  stripped  the  body,  hid  the  clothes  under 
the  floor  of  the  school  house,  and  then  proceeded  to 
sever  the  head  from  the  body .  After  this  he  secreted 
the  head  in  the  crevices  of  some  rocks,  and  dragged 
the  mutilated  remains  into  the  woods  and  concealed 
them  among  the  bushes.  Miller  then  returned  to  the 
Doctor's  office,  evidently  intending  to  rob  it;  but  he 
found  there  Henry  Graft',  a  young  German,  who  was 


382 


HISTOKV    OF   CUMIiKKLANn. 


[1855. 


a  carver  of  wood,  in  the  employ  of  K.  H.  Butler,  and 
who  was  a  friend  of  ILadel's  and  a  student  of  medicine 
in  his  leisure  hours.  Miller  inducid  Graff  to  aeconi- 
pany  him,  also,  and  thoy  took  tho  same  route  the 
unfortunate  Iladel  had  taken  in  the  morning.  At 
Steel's  house,  the  nuu'derer  stop[)ed  to  get  his  shot 
gun,  which  he  had  left  there  after  killing  Iladel. 
They  then  went  a  short  distance  further,  when  thev 
reached  the  culvert  on  the  old  })ike.  Here  tlie 
monster  emptied  the  contents  of  his  gun  into  the 
)>ack  of  Graff,  and  taking  tiie  hody  dragged  it  into 
the  culvert  and  covered  it  with  stones.  Again  he 
returned  to  Dr.  Hadel's  office,  which  he  robbed  of 
jewelry,  clothing,  ijooks,  nxedicines,  &c.,  all  of  wiiich 
he  packed  in  a  box;  this  he  had  removed,  next 
morning,  to  his  boarding  house,  on  north  Mechanic 
street. 

The  disappearanc  of  the  murdered  men  led  to 
much  anxiety  on  the  part  of  their  Iriends,  and  wlien 
it  became  known  that  they  were  last  seen  on  the 
pike  with  Miller,  foul  })laA-  was  suspected.  On 
Tuesday  the  fire  bells  were  rung,  and  hundreds  of 
persons  went  in  search  of  the  missing  men.  Graft's 
body  was  found  first,  and  a  few  hours  later  the  niuti- 
lated  remains  of  Dr.  Hadel,  Miller  was  arrested  iit 
his  bed,  at  n^idnight.  and  taken  to  jail.  Court  being  in 
session,  he  s  immediately  indicted,  tried  and  con- 
victed of  nmrder  in  the  first  degree.  Judge  Pern 
passed  sentence  upon  him,  .and  the  doomed  man  was 
the  most  unconcerned  of  ail  in  the  court  room. 

On  the  4tb  of  January,  1856,  he  was  hanged.  The 
execution  took  place  near  the  almshouse,  and  although 


1855.] 


LOCAL    INCIDENTS. 


883 


the  day  was  bitterly  cold,  thousands  upon  thousands 
of  persons  Hocked  through  the  deep  snow  to  witness 
the  horrible  sigiit.  The  prisoner  was  wholly 
unmoved,  and  when  his  spiritual  advisers,  Rev.  M. 
Mair  and  Rev.  W.  T.  D.  (Jlemni,  told  him  he  was 
about  to  die,  and  that  he  might  say  anyt^iing  he 
de.sired,  he  raised  his  right  hand,  and  s.iid :  "v7Ith 
my  last  breatli,  and  in  the  full  knowledge  of  the 
judgment  awaiting  me,  I  deny  all  knowledge  of  the 
death  of  Dr.  Hadel  and  Herny  Graff.  I  am  pre- 
pared to  meet  tlieir  spirits,  in  the  presence  of  God, 
as  witnesses  of  my  innocence." 

Tlie  execution  then  immediately  took  place.  Dr. 
John  Everett,  the  Sheriff,  performing  that  unpleasant 
ikity. 

The  evidence  against  MiUer  was  undeniable.  He 
even  went  so  far  as  to  wear  Dr.  Hadel's  studs  after 
th;  murder,  and  wlien  arrested  had  them  in  his 
possession. 

November,  10. — The  candidates  for  Congress  were 
y^m.  T.  Hamilton.  Democrat,  and  Henry  W.  Hoff- 
man, American.  Hoffman  was  elected  by  a  majority^ 
of  732.  Hamilt(m  carried  Allegany  by  88  majority, 
and  Hoffman  carried  Frederick  by  710.  and  Washing- 
ton by  54  majority. 

December  8.—  Tlie  (.'ouncil  })assed  an  order  appro- 
priating $100  to  Captain  James  M.  Schley,  of  the 
'Cumberland  Guards,"  and  (^aptai.^  J.  H.  Tucker,  of 
the  "Cumberland  Continentals/'  towards  fitting  up 
ill!  armory.  The  old  ten  pin  alley  on  George  street, 
'tpposite  the  Mineral  Rank,  was  rented,  and  used  for 
tills  })urpose.     These  companies  became  wonderfully 


384 


UrSTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND.  [1855-56. 


proficient   in    the   drill,  and  attracted  a  great  deal 
of  attention  on  their  visits  to  other  cities. 

December  14. — The  extension  of  the  Pittsburgh 
and  Connellsville  Railroad  to  Cumberland  was 
undertaken  in  1854,  and  Hon.  Andrew  Stewart  and 
M.  O.  Davidson  appeared  before  the  City  Council, 
and  submitted  a  proposition  from  the  Company  with 
a  view  to  securing  the  city's  aid  in  the  matter.  The 
Mayor  called  a  public  meeting  at  Belvidere  Hall. 
which  was  largely  attended,  on  which  occasion  Mr. 
Stewart  addressed  the  citizens,  explaining  the  inten- 
tions and  desires  of  the  Company.  The  meeting' 
passed  resolutions  endorsing  the  projected  improve- 
ment, and  requesting  the  City  Council  to  subscribe 
$200,000  towards  the  compieticm  of  the  work,  on 
condition  that  the  company  should  establish  its 
machine    shops   and   other   local    improvement.s  in 


Cumberland.     Thi 


s  was  agreed 


upon,  and  the  city 


went  so  far  as  to  have  its  bonds  prepared,  but  they 
were  never  issued,  some  insurmountable  difficultie.s 
having  occurred  in  Pennsylvania.  The  extension 
to  Cumberland  was  then  delayed  for  nearly  twent\ 
years. 

May  12,1856. — Mayor,.Toseph  IT.  Tucker;  Council- 
men,  William  R.  Beall,  Thomas  Devecnion,  Jesse 
Korns,  Henry  Korns,  D.  W.  McCleary,  and  John 
B.  Widener. 

October  0. — Smallwood  street,  between  Washing- 
ton and  (/umberland  streets,  was  graded  and  paved. 

An  ordinance  was  passed  forbidding  burials  inside 
of  the  corporate  limits.       -  —         . 

May  11,  1857. — Mayor,  Jas.  W.Jones;  Councilmen. 


1857-58.] 


LOCAL    INCIDENTS. 


B85 


Henry  Hagaii.  Henry  Korns.  Jlanson  Willison,  John 
Loiigabaugh,  A.  McEldowiiey.  and  F.  M.  Granilich. 
H.  McKeon,  Clerk. 

June  22. — An  order  was  passed  in  the  Council  tor 
the  construction  ol'  a  brick  arch  bridge  over  the  race. 
at  the  foot  of  Mechanic  street. 

An  appropriation  of  .f  50  was  made  towards  the 
[iiirchase  of  a  town  clock,  to  be  placed  in  the  tower 
of  the  German  Lutheran  Church,  Bedford  street. 

October  5. — The  Mineral  Bank  closed  its  doors. 
nntl  appointed  Trustees  to  settle  up  its  business, 
Tlie  Trustees  were  Messrs.  John  Beall  and  Ge<^rge  A. 
Pearre;  the  total  liabilities  amounted  to  $199,681.38. 
The  losses  sustained  by  the  creditors  of  the  bank 
were  small,  since  the  Trustees  paid  them  at  8oi 
feiits  on  the  dollar,  besides  defraying  all  tlie  expenses 
incurred  by  this  method  of  settlement. 

November  5. — lion.  Jacob  M.  Kunkel  was  elected 
to  Congress  over  Hon.  H.  W.  Holl'man,  by  a  small 
majority.  The  vote  in  Allegany  ('ounty  stood. 
Kunkel,  2,236;  Hoffman,  1,843. 

December  7. — The  Council  passed  an  order  for  the 
sale  of  Plum  Alley  to  the  German  Catholic,  or 
Redem})torist,  Association,  for  the  sum  of  $300. 
The  sale  was  never  effected,  however,  and  the  alley 
\m  never  been  closed  up. 

January  4.  1858. — An   order  was  passed   by  the 

'ouncil  for  the  extension  of  the  (Jitv  limits,  the  line 

to  run    from    the    north   east   corner  of  Rose  Hill 

•ometery  to  the  iron  railroad  bridge;  thence  north  to 

Stony  Battery;  thence  to  Mullen's  Lime  Kiln;  thence 

to  top  of  Shriver's  Hill;  thence  south-east  to  T.   I. 
49 


:-i80 


JUSTOKY    OF    CUMHKHLANl).  [1858-;')'.). 


McKaig's  lot,  on  the  Baltimore  turnpike;  thenco  to 
the  top  of  McKaigH  Hill,  and  thence  along  the  base 
of  the  hills  to  the   river,  below  Mertenn'   bo.at  yard. 

April  12. — An  effort  wan  made  to  secure  tin- 
location  of  a  Jiational  foundry  at  this  place,  as  such 
an  enterprise  was  talked  of  in  government  cirdes. 
The  project  was  never  carried  into  effect. 

May   y. — Mayor,   D.  VV.    McCleary;  (Jouncilincn. 
C.B.  Thruston,  .1.   B.  Walton.  W.  ().  Sprigg,  C.  11 
Ohr,  Geo.  Clark,  and  Michaef  Treiljer.      H.  McKeoii. 
Clerk.     The  tax  was  reduced  to  40  cents,  this  year. 

In  June  the  (Jommissioners  had  the  Court  House 
grounds  inclosed  by  an  iron  fence,  to  take  the  place 
of  a  dilapidated  wooden  fence. 

June  18. — A  little  daughter  of  John  Blackhurst  fell 
into  the  water  in  the  gas-holder  cistern,  at  the  gas 
works,  and  was  drowned. 

November  27. — The  Cumberland  ('itv  Bank  closed 
its  doors,  and  J.  R.  Annan    was   apjwinted  Trustee. 

Ai)ril  G,  1851). — The  Allegany  County  Bank  was 
established,  with  a  capital  of  $50,000,  the  (officers 
being  Dr.  (Jeorge  Lynn,  President,  and  A.  C.  Whet- 
more,  Cashier. 

March  17.— -The  (Jivilian"  and  ^'The  Telegraph" 
were  united,  and  published  under  the  name  of  ''The 
Civilian  and  Telegraph,"  the  new  proprietors  bein;: 
Kvans  &  Man  pin. 

The  steam  canal  boats  -Bluebird"  and  "'(Jathcart. 
arrived,  having  in  tow  several   canal   boats,  the  trip 
being  made  as  an  experiment.     The  result  did  not 
justify  any  further  experiments  in  that  direction. 

May  0. — Mayor.  I).  W.  McC'leary:  Councilmeii.  H. 


1859.] 


LOCAL    INCIDENTS. 


387 


Resley,  Samuol  Luman,  C  H.  Ohr,  Jesse  Korns,  A. 
J.  Ryland  J.  T.  Shuck. 

June  HO. — The  Lynn  Ceuu^it  Mill  took  fire,  and 
was  wholly  destroyed.  The  owners  rehuilt  at  onee, 
and  had  the  mill  runninji'  in  less  than  two  months 
tVoin  the  date*  of  tlie  fnv. 

Julv  18. — President  Buchanan  and  suite  arrived, 
I'liroute  to  the  Hedford  (Springs,  and  remained  over 
night  at  the  Revere  House. 

July  20. — George  T.  Percy,  a  young  man,  24  years 
nf  age,  son  of  Douglas  Percy,  of  Frostburg,  was  acci- 
(k'ntally  drowned  while  fishing  in  tlie  river,  near 
15ra(ly's  iMills.  with  a  party  of  friends. 

S('pt(Muber  (i. — Captain  Thonnis  Blair,  who  com- 
manded a  com))any  in  the  war  of  1812-14,  died  at 
Frostburg.  at  an  advanced  ag<'.  B\-  his  own  request 
he  was  biiried  with  militarv  honors  by  the  Cumber- 
land  Continentals. 

September  ;J0. — (ieorge  H.  Drake,  who  killed  Bene- 
Hi't  M.  Athey,  in  1825.  and  who  escaped  from  jail 
aftor  he  had  been  indicated  for  murder,  returned  to 
this  place,  and  was  prom[)tly  arrested.  Drake  had 
Ix'en  absent  for  thirty-four  years,  being  an  old  man 
at  the  date  of  his  return.  He  was  under  the  im- 
prossion  that  his  crime  had  been  forgotten,  and  that 
tlio  law  would  not  trouble  him  after  so  many  years 
had  elapsed,  but  he  had  scarcely  arrived  ere  the 
nioniory  of  his  crime  was  revived,  and  he  was  again 
consigned  to  jail,  in  October  he  was  arraigned,  and 
tried  on  the  indictment  found  a  third  of  a  century 
hofore.  The  trial  excited  a  great  deal  of  interest, 
ind  he    was    ably    defended     by     Messrs.     Pearre 


.•]88 


mSToHV    or    Cl'MBKKLAND. 


[ISGO. 


and  SeninioH.  Some  sixtt'cn  witncKSOfi  were  ex- 
amined. The  ease  oecui)ied  a  whole  day,  the  prose- 
(iuting  attorney,  J.  M,  Sehle}-,  making  good  use  ol' 
what  little  real  testimony  was  to  Ik;  had.  The  jurv 
returned  a  verdict  of  "not  guilty." 

April  8, 18()0. — A  heavy  rainl'all  j)roduced  a  freshet. 
which  caused  the  creek  and  river  to  overflow,  whereby 
several  of  the  streets  were  inundated,  hut  no  material 
damage  was  sustained. 

April  11. — The  furniture  factory  of  K.  H.  Butler 
was  destroyed  hy  lire.     Loss  about  $8,000. 

May  4. — Mayor,  John  Humbird;  Councilmen,  II. 
Resley,  T.  A.  Ogle,  Charles  H.  Smith,  C.  11.  Ohr, 
(Jasper  Cassan  and  John  Snyder. 

The  population  of  (Cumberland  at  this  time  was* 
shown  by  the  census  to  be  7,800,  and  the  assessable 
property  $2,124,400. 

September  20. — Meshack  Browning,  one  of  the  old 
settlers  of  Allegany  (  ounty,  died  at  his  home  in  the 
Glades.  Mr.  Browning  was  a  great  hunter,  and  was 
the  hero  of  an  interesting  ))ook  entitled  "Forty-four 
Years  of  the  Life  of  a  Hunter,"  written  and  illustra- 
ted by  E.  Stabler,  of  Montgomery  (Jounty,  a  very 
remarkable  man,  and  published  by  Lippincott.  of 
Philadelphia.  Mr.  Browning  left  (juite  a  family  of 
children,  one  of  whom,  Richard  T.  Browning,  was 
elected  to  the  House  of  Delegates  from  (larrett  (bounty. 
in  1875. 

At  the  election  for  President  in  November,  Allegany 
gave  980  votes  for  Breckenridge,  l,20o  for  Douglass. 
1,521  for  Bell,  and  522  for  Lincoln.  _.  „ 

State  Senator,  Thomas  I.  McKaig;  Delegates,  J.  H. 


ISfiO-ni.]  LOCAL   INTIDKNTS.  38^ 

(lordon,  W.  II.  Hiirnard,  D.  W.   Mcl.'lcary  and   A/a 
\H\\. 
Tlie  vote  Ibr  (vongroj^s  was  as  follows: 

J.  M.  Kunkel.     II.  VV.  Hoffman. 

Washington  County 2,842  2,H42 

Frederick  County ;{,71H  ;{,G7.'l 

.\lle^any  County , 2,288  2,201 

H,84;t  s.7i<; 

Sheriff,  Henry  R.  Atkinson;  Jndges  of  Orphans' 
(onrt,  Moses  Rawlings,  Alexander  King  and  Kraneis 
Mattingly. 

Hon.  PI.  W.  Hoffman  was  elected  Sergeant-at-Arnis 
(if  the  House  of  Re})resentatives,  and  served  in  that 
capacity  till  April,  18G1,  when  President  Lincoln 
appointed  him  (JoUector  of  the  Port  of  Baltimore. 

December  18. — George,  a  son  of  William  Wickard, 
(years  of  age,  while  playing  on  the  ice,  on  the  creek, 
near  the  cement  mill,  l>roke  through,  and  was  drowned. 

Much  excitement  prevailed  during  the  winter,  in 
i:uii8e(|uence  of  the  secession  movements  in  the  South, 
and  on  the  17tli  of  January,  1861,  a  [)ublic  meeting  was 
culled  for  the  purpose  of  considering  the  critical  con- 
dition of  affairs  in  the  country,  the  call  being  largely 
%ned  by  men  of  all  })olitical  parties.  The  following 
were  the  officers  of  the  meeting:  President,  George 
A  Pearre;  Vice  Presidents,  H.  P.  Tasker.  Richard 
Fiiirall,  John  McLaughlin,  H.  B.  Elbin,  Hanson  Wil- 
lison,  John  Douglas,  A.  (Jhamberlin,  R()l)ert  Bruce, 
•••  M.  Blocher,  Jesse  Korns,  Francis  Mattingly, 
niumas  Whalen,  John  (Jallen  and  Moses  Rawlings. 

Secretaries. — .1.  J.  McHenry  and  C,  Slack. 

Strong    Union  speeches   were   delivered    by    Mr. 


■! 


'MH) 


msTOKv  or  <;iimiii:ki,ani). 


[isr.l. 


PoaiTc,     cx-dovcrnof    Fnincin    Tlioiniis.    inid     Mr. 
ixoiniui. 

A  roimnittcc  was  a|)j)(>iiit('(l,  <ronsistiii<::  ofJ .  l*liili|) 
Roniaii,  William  Shaw.  ('.  iM.  'riinistoii.  .lolin  M. 
Hiichaiuin.  William  Walsh,  .1.  (I.  Lyini.  .loscpli 
Shrivor,  Nelson  li(>all.  S.  M.  Scimm's  and  C  Slack. 
to  propose  resolutions  I'oj-  the  consideration  of  the 
meeting:.  'IMie  eonnnittee  snhmitteil  the  rollowinu, 
which  were  unanimously  adopted  : 

WiiKKKAH,  Soulli  (^iiroliim  ami  ollicrs  of  tlw;  <;(tlton  jrrowin;;  StsUra, 
liavo  (It'dured  tlKMnst'lvcs  out  of  the  I'liion,  absolved  llieir  people  froTi 
its  alle^iunce,  set  at  <l(>lianeo  the  CoTistitiitioii  of  the  Hnitcd  Stiitcs, 
nullified  the  laws  of  ('otifrrefs,  have  torn  fVoui  their  citadels  our  iiiitioiiul 
liafT,  and  inarshiillint^  miiiies  in  open  nsbeliion  af^ainst  IIk;  pjovernmeiil; 
and  whereas  this  rebcilioiis  strife  has  becjn  provoked  l)y  n  ji;ro\viri;.'  scnii- 
nient  anioii}^  the  Xorlhern  people  a^rainsl  the  institution  of  slavery,  iind 
bocanso  various  nonslaveholtlin^'  States  have  passed  enactnietils  to 
impede  the  due  exi>cutioii  of  the  fuirilive  slave  law,  and  because  ii  ffrciit 
sectional  parly  proelaiuiinij  that  there  shall  be  no  more  slave  StntM, 
have  elected  a  i'residenl  of  the  I'nited  Slates;  And  whereas  it  is  j  roper 
that  the  people  should  meet  together  und  take  council  with  one  anniliorii." 
lo  what  course  they  shoidil  pursue  in  this  painful  crisis,  We  the  pcoiiii' 
of  Allegany  county  in  f^cncral  mass  conv(;ution  assembled,  do  there 
fore 

RcKolrr,  1'hat  the  present  form  of  (Jovernment.  the  Constitution  and 
Iltiion  of  .States,  were  the  result  of  a  war,  which  for  the  selfsacrifiein}.' 
patriotism  of  its  heroes,  has  won  the  admiration  of  the  civilized  world, 
atxl  utuler  its  wise  provisions  the  American  people  have  hcconw  the 
most  free,  prosper()\is  and  enlij;htened,  on  the  face  of  the  earth  ;  and  as 
we  believe  the  continuanco  of  our  prosperity  and  national  j^reatness, 
depends  on  the  preservation  of  the  Union,  we  will  continue  lo  cherish  our 
devotion  for  its  maintenance,  aiul  feel  it  due  to  the  jiast,  present  and 
future,  that  we  should  hold  tln"  same  inviolate,  and  transmit  it  uid)rokeii 
and  undissevered,  to  our  children  as  the  palladium  of  their  noliticiil 
safety . 

Jienolved,  Thai  while  we  feel  that  the  Southern  States  of  the  Union  have 
just  riifht  to  complain  of  tlu;  prowinn;  hostility  of  th(!  Northern  people  tc 
their  institutions,  and  of  the  enactment  by  various  States  of  what  is  known 
as  "persotuil  liberty  laws,"  which  we  believe  to  be  in  violation  of  tlic 
Constitution  and  of  the  sacred  obligations  which  those  States  owe  to 
our  common  country  ;  ami,  although  Maryland,  Ijordering  on  and  sepit 
rated  only  by  an  imaginary  line  from  one  of  these  States,  which  has  thus 
violated  one  of  her  obligations,  has  more  cause  than  any  of  her  sister 
States  to  complain  of  this  unfriendly  legislation,  yet  we  believe  that  tiic 
proper  remedy  for  these  evils  and  a^Kressions  is  within  the  Union  and 
not  outside  of  it. 

Resolved,  That  while  we  denounce  the  course  of  the  Northern  ])eopli' 
as  unfriendly,  and  the  action  of  those  States  which  have  passed  ''person 


[18()l. 
and     Mr. 

•fj.  ri.iiip 

.lolin   M. 
111.    .loscpli 

1  (J.  SliK-k, 
ion  ol'  tlu' 
»  roUowin'T, 


^rrowii)};  Stiitos, 
>ir  people  frt.ii 
United  Sutfs, 
ols  our  national 
lIk'  (rovernmenl; 

I  jrrowiii^r  scnii- 

II  of  hI  livery,  nml 
I  enactineiUs  to 
hecause  ii  uroiit 
re  slave  States, 
Teas   it  is  ,  roper 

1)  one  another  ax 

We  tlie  people 

nhled,  do  lliere 

k'onstitiiliiin  nnd 
le  seli'saerilifin;.' 
eivili/.fd  world, 
Hve    become  the 
le  earth  ;  and  as 
lonal    greatness, 
lie  to  cherish  our 
8t,   present  ami 
miit  it  unbroken 
,f  their  political 

Irthern  people  In 
l)i  what  is  known 
Iviolation  of  the 
1  States  owe  t" 
Ijr  on  and  sepa 
I  which  has  thu? 
liV  of  hcv  slater 
l.'.lK've  that  the 
jthc    Union  and 

forthern  peoph' 
[passed  "person 


IS6I.] 


l.orAI,  INCIDKNTS. 


nill 


III  lilierty  laws"  b8  iinconHliliitiorial  and  unjust,  and  while  v/i:  believe 
iheiii  fraught  with  evil,  iiiid  il  persisted  in,  may  provi-  disustrous  to  the 
country,  yet  wc  cannot  einlorsc!  lli<(  cours)!  pnrsiie<l  by  Soutli  C'aroliiia 
und  those  States  whi<di  have  tollowed  her  lead,  as  either  a  proper  or  con- 
Milution.'il  remedy,  but  rej,;arJ  the  .Mame  as  precipitate,  unwise  and 
iinjiiHt  to  the  bor(h'rin^' slave  States  of  llie  Union.  Tiiat  althoufrh  wc 
admit  and  claim  the  ri;,'ht  ot  revolution  to  r'.xisl  in  the  jjcofile  to  over- 
throw their  (iovernnienl  when  it  becomes  tyrannical  and  oppri'ssive,  yet 
this  ri^'ht  should  never  be;  ex<!rcise<l  until  all  olliiir  means  oi' redress  have 
been  e-vhausted,  and  the  govcMiiinent  itself  has  becouK!  more  destructive 
to  iIk!  i)ublic  welfare,  than  the  evils  ne<esHariIy  attendant  upon  a 
reV(diition . 

{{••Htilvvd,  That  whilst  we  condiMnn  the  hasty  and  iirecipitate  action 
oftliose  who  would  tor  c.xistin^j  causes  dissolve  this  j.'lorious  Union,  iind 
plunjfe  us  into  all  the  horrors  of  revolution  ami  civil  war,  we  at  the 
same  time  avow  our  determination  to  demand  all  our  rights  in  tlu;  Union 
under  the  Constitution  of  our  country,  and  whenevt-r  those;  rif^hts  are 
invaded  and  denii^d  to  us,  and  no  adei|uale  remedy  is  alfonled  by  the 
Federal  (iovernment  to  stM'ure  th»;m,  then  we  will  be  rc'ady,  as  our  fatln^rs 
were,  to  take  up  arms,  if  need  be  in  their  defence. 

Hcsolnal,  That  the  wise,  firm,  prudent  and  pacilic  course  pursued  by 
Major  Anderson,  the  olhci-r  in  command  of  Kort  Sumpter,  in  South 
('nndina,  nnd(!r  th(!  Iryinj^  circumsliiu(,'(!8  by  which  he  is  surrounded, 
meets  with  our  earnest  and  cordial  approval. 

licsiilvcd,  That  the  aj^^'ressive  spirit  exhibited  by  a  [jortion  of  the 
Northern  people  a;^ainsl  tin;  clear  constitutional  riirhts  of  the  South,  and 
ihe  incessant  and  violent  abuse  of  Southern  institutions,  from  the  pulpit, 
ilie  huslini;s  and  by  the  press,  tendiiif,'  only  to  produci;  alienation,  discrord 
and  hitterness  between  the  <liirerent  portions  of  the  confederacy,  dest.'rve 
ihe  severest  reprobation  (d'  every  conservative  ami  Union  lovinjr  citizen. 
lifsolvcd,  That  we  still  have  an  abidin;^  faith  in  the  sober  second 
!liou).dit  of  the  Southern  peo|)le,  and  that  if  an  opportunity  shall  be 
iitfunled  them  they  will  return  to  a  faithful  exc^cution  of  all  their  consti- 
UiliiMial  obligations  and  hurl  from  power  and  prominences  the  political 
'kinauogucs  who  have  misled  them;  and  therefort;  we  deplore  the  constant 
aijilalion  of  the  slavtiry  (juestion  among  the  Soulhi'rn  people,  theattem{)ts 
to  reopen  the  African  slave  trade,  and  the  threats  of  secession  and  dis- 
mion  in  advance  of  any  justifiable  cause  as  productive  of  the  most 
mischievous  residts,  and  tending  only  to  furnish  the  agitators  of  the 
NDrtli,  with  a  plausible  pmtext  for  their  own   unfriendly  action. 

lifsoh'cd,  That  in  order  to  end  all  future  agitation  up(m  tin;  exciting 
*ul)je('t  o(  slavery,  which  perioelically  convulses  the  country,  it  is  emi- 
nently proper  that  some  compromist;  and  settlement  should  be  made  that 
wiuld  at  once  and  forever  withdraw  the  whole  subject  Irom  Federal  con- 
trol; that  with  this  object  in  v'uiw,  we  accept  and  endorse  the  proposition, 
known  as  the  "Crittenden  Amendment,"  ami  earnestly  hope  that  the  same 
'irsome  other  compromise  formed  upon  that  l)asis,  which  will  secure  to 
'lii'Sonth  her  con.stitutional  rights  and  |)reserve  the  Union,  msiy  be 
ailoptcd  by  ('ongress  or  a  convention,  believing,  as  we  do,  that  thereby 
''mpress  will  thereafter  be  deprivei'.  of  all  power  of  legislation  over  the 
subject. 

Similar  inoi'tiugH  were  held    in   other  parts  of  the 

"iiiutv.  ' 


392 


HISTOKV   OF    CUMHKKLAND. 


[im\. 


Fcbniarv 24, --Tlic friends oCtlu'linionon  tliisnitrht 
liiid  a  great  toreh  light  procession,  tlierc  Ix'in;;  some 
live  lnnidred  persons  in  the  line.  The  residences  ol 
Samuel  M.  Seninies,  Thomas  Devecmon  and  (Jeoruv 
A.  Pearre  were  visited,  and  each  of  these  gentleiiicn 
made   sj)eeches  full  of  i)atriotic  inspiration. 

A})ril  11). — The  thrilling  scenes  in  Baltimore,  on 
the  occasion  of  liie  passage  of  the  Massachusetts 
troops  through  tiie  city,  and  the  inauguration  ot 
civil  war  hy  the  attack  on  Fort  Sumter,  causcil 
most  intense  excitement  amongst  the  [R'ople  of  Cuiii- 
herland,  and  led  to  the  o[K'n  expression  of  sentiments 
which  caused  a  separation  lx*t ween  those  who  differed 
on  the  ((uestion  of  c(K'rcion.  From  this  time  forward 
the  lines  l)ecame  more  closely  drawn,  and  friends  mid 
neighbors  were  unha[)[)ily  arrayed  one  against  the 
other. 

May  (>. — The  increasing  excitement  on  account  of 
the  important  events  leading  to  civil  war,  aroused 
great  feeling  in  the  city,  and  the  Union  men  held 
an  immense  mass  meeting  on  the  above  date.  Thev 
nuirched  through  the  streets  with  banners  and  musif. 
and  cannon  firing.  The  meeting  was  organized  l)v 
the  election  of  Gen.  C  M,  Thruston  President,  and 
the  following  Vice  Presidents:  John  Gephart.  R. 
Kegg,  A,  M.  L.  l?ush,  J.  B.  Widener,  Joseph  Shrivt  r. 
John  Everett,  Alpheus  Beall.  Wm.  Armbruster,  S. 
M.  Semmes,  J,  J.  Mcllenrv,  Lewis  Smith,  Sainiu'l 
Luman,  John  Kolb,  J,  W.  Magruder.  Andrew  Goii- 
der,  J.  B.  TI.  Campbell,  Wm.  Evans,  Robert  Bruce. 
J.  H.  Young,  John  Hays,  Alex,  King,  R.  D.  Johnson. 
and  Joseph  Hughes. 


1801.] 


KAMA     DAYS   OF    THE    WAK. 


Strong  spcHH^Iics  were  made  by  George  A.  Poarrc 
;iii(l  Siiimu'l  M.  Si'inmes,  and  Icn^^thy  and  cnipliatif 
ivsoliitioiis  adopted,  dcclitring  for  the  preservation 
(if  the  linion. 

Tlie  Conditional  Tnion  men  hehl  a  meeting  also. 
(Itchiring  that  shonhl  the  (lovornment  fail  to  give 
the  South  certain  jiuai'antces  it  vvonhl  h(!  Marvh»nd"s 
iliity  to  k'av«'  the  Union.  I)ani(d  Hlochcr  intnxhiced 
11  resohition  for  tiie  jjurpose  of  postponing  such  action 
until  the  Peace  (Jonferenee  should  eonchide  its  work. 
Violent  discussion  followed,  and  the  meeting  hroke 
lip  in  great  confusion. 

It  had  heen  fojidlv  hoped  that  ('nnd)erland  would 
isciipe  tile  scourge  of  war,  but  ''the  winter  of  ISGO- 
I'll  lu'gan  to  dispel  our  illusions.  Latent  feelings  and 
syiiiputhies,  then  developed,  made  it  evi<lent  that 
Western  Maryland,  and  j)articularly  its  central  city, 
was  deeply  interested  in  the  great  ((uestion  that 
iifiitated  the  })ul)lic  mind.  A  contlict  seemed  immi- 
iiont  and  [)eople  found  themselves  with  divided 
■ii'iitiiuents  and  sympathies.  Secession  and  anti-se- 
iTssion,  State  sovereignty  and  the  Union,  coercion 
did  anti-coercion  were  the  general  topics  of  conver- 
sation wherever  men  met  together.  Even  at  social 
parties  in  parlors,  ladies  were  transformed  into 
violent  politicians,  and  in  their  wild  enthusiasm 
willed  ready  to  gras[)  the  riHe  and  the  sword  and 
Iwive  the  nursery  and  the  distaif  to  faint-hearted, 
'owardly  men  and  old  women.  Looking  back  over 
tlie  lapse  of  seventeen  years  we  can  now  smile  at  the 
illusions,  projects,  prospects,  hopes  and  fears  of  that 

"it'uiorable  winter.     After  the  secession  of  the  cotton 
50 


394 


IllSTOHV    OK    rUMMKKLANO. 


[I8»il 


StaU'H,  wjino  (loclaird  the  Union  hopclcsHly  diswolvcd. 
and  advocated  the  i'ortnation  of  a  ^^rand  Middle 
('onfodorucy  .strotcliin>5  from  the  Atlantic  to  tlic 
Pacific,  leaving  New  England  and  the  seceded  States, 
an  tronldewoino  n»einlK>r8  of  the  l>ody  politic,  out  in 
the  cold  to  reap  the  frnits  of  their  fanatical  notions 
and  (loingH.  Othcrw  expected  some  coinproinisc  t(» 
he  made  by  which  the  Union  might  hi;  restored  uiid 
the  ( 'Onstitution  so  amended  as  to  protect  the  ri«>hts 
of  sovereign  States  against  the  encroachnicnts  of 
the  Federal  (lovernment.  Some  again  proplicsicil 
the  speedy  secession  of  all  the  Sonthern  States. 
carrying  the  National  capital  with  them,  and  fonn- 
ing  a  confederacy  so  large  and  strong  as  to  compel 
a  speedy  recognition  and  in  the  end  absorb  into 
itself;  under  a  pro-slavery  (Constitution,  all  the 
States  of  the  old  Union  that  would  I)e  worth 
having. 

"Others  declared  that  as  soon  as  the  Federal 
(ioveriiment  made  a  display  of  its  authority  ami 
power  the  leaders  of  secession  would  become  fright- 
ened, the  conspiracy  be  broken  up  without  bloodshed. 
and  the  Union  restored.  Unconditional  Unionii^ts 
and  secessionists  ^r  «c  were  rare  among  us.  But 
among  all  classes  there  seemed  to  be  a  pretty  general 
agreement  that,  in  case  of  a  final  rupture  between 
the  Northern  and  Southern  States,  Marvland  might 
assume  a  kind  of  armed  neutrality,  until  the  ques- 
ticm  was  decided,  without  compromising  he'^  honur 
or  aiding  in  the  subjugation  of  the  seceding  States 
This  was  a  fiction  afterward  very  soon  exploded  hv 
the  irresistible  logic  of  events.     The  eftects  of  tlie!*<l 


[181)1. 


181)1.] 


KARLY    DAYS   OK    I'llK    WAK. 


aDi') 


'  (lisHolvcd. 
,11(1   Midtllf 
bic     U)   the 
'doll  States. 
litic,  out  in 
ical  notions 
iipromise  to 
rostoivd  luul 
•t  the  ri<^hts 
ichinonts  t)t" 
I   prophesii'il 
tiorn    Stiiti's. 
1,  iuul  fonii- 
aH  to  compel 
absorb  into 
ion,    all    tin- 
1)0    worth 

Itho     Fodenil 
litbority   Aw\ 
|{'()nie  tVight- 
jut  bloodslu'il. 
Iial  Unionists 
Lnii'  us.    lin^ 
M-otty  general 
turo  between 
'vland  uiigl>' 
itil  the  (lues- 
Ir  hi-^  honor! 
fding  State>.l 
'xploded  !»} 
I'CtH  ol"  these 


wordy  conHiet.M  oontinually  going  on,  wore  soon 
iiumirost  in  |»rivatx' intoreourso.  Old  frionds  l)oeanio 
alienated  and  lu'gan  to  treat  eaidi  othtM*  coolly. 
Visits  wore  cnrtailod  and  oCton  ended  disagreeably. 
Associations  and  eliurehes  Celt  the  disturbing  Intlu- 
cnces.  Ministers  were  int<'rviewed,  while  tiieir 
Hi'inons  and  prayers  were  closely  scrntini/ed  for 
indications  ol'  political  sentiments  or  syinj)atiiies. 
The  moral  atmosphere  seemed  tilled  with  a  subtle 
|iois<m  by  which  every  one  was  afToctod. 

•'During  this  period,  adding  to  the  divided  and 
ilisturl)ed  coiulition  of  the  |K)pular  n»ind,  two  renuirk- 
able  characters  appeared  upon  the  scene  of  action. 
The  first  was  the  Hon.  Roger  A.  Pryor,  of  Virginia, 
who  was  then  "firing  the  Southern  heart"  with  his 
fervid  elo([uence.  With  glowing  tongue  he  portrayed 
the  wi'ongs  of  the  Southern  States  and  plead  with  all 
the  j)owor  of  his  masterly  oratory  for  a  united  South 
to  resist  the  aggressions  of  a  common  foe.  The  other 
«iis  the  Hon.  Francis  Thomas,  ex-Governor  of 
Maryland,  and  once  the  honored  son  and  leader  of 
the  old  State  Democracy.  Suffering  under  a  severe 
iloniestic  calamity,  and  treated  as  insane,  he  had  fled 
from  public  life,  and  for  years  had  buried  himself 
in  his  mountain  hermitage,  living  closely  the  life  of 
iuecluse  until  he  was  almost  forgotten.  But  when 
the  news  of  his  country's  danger  reached  him  all  tin* 
<hnubering  statesman  was  arcjused.  The  strong 
i^pirit  of  former  years  came  upon  him.  Like  some 
*ierd,  hoary  prophet  of  old,  he  came  down  from  hia 
"lountain  retreat  and,  suddenly  appearing  in  the 
streets  of  Cumberland,  sounded  the  alarm  of  patriot- 


396 


HISTORY   OF    CUMBERLANn. 


[I8(;i. 


ism,  and  i)lead  witli  the  [K'oplo  to  stsmd  by  tho  Unioii, 
the  Constitution,  and  the  laws.  It  seemed  as  if  ono 
had  arisen  from  the  dead. 

"But  we  cannot  dwell  longer  on  incidents  like  thi'sc 
which  [)receded  the  war.  Events  thickened  tiiul 
so(m  ioUowTid  each  other  in  (|uick  succession  like  the 
echoes  of  our  mountain  thunder.  Sumter  fell. 
Seventv-five  tiiousand  men  were  summoned  lor  the 
defense  of  the  Union.  Blood  flowed  in  the  streets  of 
Baltimore.  Virginia  ado})ted  an  ordinance  of  seces- 
si(m.  Harper's  Ferry  passcfl  i)ito  the  hands  of  the 
(Confederates,  and  Maryland  was  left  hanging  .is  ji 
>Southern  shred  upon  the  Northern  })ortion  of  a 
disrupted  I'uion.  Nothing  ])r<jl)ably,  saved  Maryland 
from  the  ranks  of  secession  but  the  delay  of  its 
friends  and  the  presence  of  the  Federal  troo})s.  What 
would  have  been  the  result  had  she  promptly  acted 
with  Virginia  before  the  0})portunity  was  passed. 
cannot  now  l)e  positively  determined.  With  the 
Capital  of  the  nation  lying  in  her  bosom,  the  whole 
issue  of  the  war  might  have  Ijeen  changed,  and  left 
us  weak  and  divided  instead  of  a  united  and  prosper- 
ous people.  We  were  now  at  war,  and  the  events 
that  inaugurated  it  had  a  most  depressing  effect  upon 
the  interests  of  Western  Maryland.  Our  city  felt  it 
most  severely.  Her  great  thoroughfare,  the  Balti- 
more and  Ohio  Railroad,  was  interrupted  and  her 
(Janal  closed.  Trade  from  Virginia  was  withdniwn. 
Kvery  industry  was  stopped  or  curtailed;  stonjsweiv 
closed  and  marked  "for  rent;'  real  estate  said^  rapidlv 
in  value.  Merchants  without  customers  slept  Jit 
their  counters,  or  sat   at  the  doors  of  their   places 


I  SCI.] 


EARLY    DAYS   OF    Till::    WAR. 


397 


of  business.  Tradesmen  and  laborers,  out  of  em- 
ployment, lounged  idly  about  the  streets.  The 
railroad  workshops  weR'  silent  and  o})erations  in  the 
milling  legions  almost  entirely  ceased.  Then  com- 
iiienced  a  deep,  painful  f(>eling  of  inseeurity  and  an 
uii(k  fined  dread  of  the  horrors  of  war.  Panic  makers 
miiltiplit  1  and  infested  society,  startling  rumors  were 
constantly  iloating  alxmt  of  secret  plots  and  dark 
i'ons[Mracies  against  the  peace  of  the  community  ajid 
private  individuals.  In  the  evening  men  congregated 
ill  the  hotels,  saloons,  stores  and  streets,  and  then 
(•anied  home  t(  their  families  the  mysterious 
siispic'ims  which  they  heard  whispered  about — killing 
sleep  and  rendering  every  sound  in  the  night 
portentous  of  arson,  robbery  or  murder.  As  the 
bonds  of  government  were  loosened  some  imagined 
that  a  slave  insurrrction  might  suddenly  break  out, 
tiillowed  by  all  the  horrors  of  St.  Domingo.  Seces- 
sionists feared  a  descent  of  the  Federal  troops — 
Iniiiiiing  imprisonment,  conliscation  or  death.  Union- 
ists dreaded  an  irruption  of  their  old  neighbors 
lioyond  the  river,  forcing  them  into  the  Southern 
•oiifederacy  or  conscripting  them  for  service  in  the 
ivhel  army.  Anxiety  and  care  were  written  on 
I'very  countenance.  There  was  no  heart  for  ))iisiness, 
and  the  grass  of  the  advancing  summer  commenced 
.Towing  upon  our  deserted  streets. 

"But  the  scene  was  unexpectedly  and  suddenly 
I  hanged.  On  MoiuhiA'  morning,  the  8th  of  .lune, 
'mr  citizens  were  awakened  by  a  confused  sound  of 
voices,  and,  looking  out.  saw  the  streets  filled  Avith 
'tnuige,   I'ough   looking   men,    dres.scd    in  gray  and 


398 


HISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[1861. 


armed  to  the  teeth  with  rifles,  pistols  and  sword- 
bayonets.  They  seemed  to  have  talh;!!  Irom  the 
clouds.  Who  are  they?  What  will  they  do?  were 
the  eager  questions  that  passed  from  lip  to  lij)  and 
Irom  liouse  to  house.  A  new  order  of  things  had 
commenced.  Our  city  was  in  ))ossession  of  the  Fed- 
eral troops.  Some  zealous  Unionist  had  gained  the 
ear  of  the  Executive,  and  the  Eleventh  Regiment  of 
Indiana  Zouaves,  under  Colonel  Lew  Wallace,  had 
entered  the  city  (juietly  on  Sunday  night  and  pitched 
their  camp  on  Rose  Hill,  over  which  now  proudly 
floated  the  Stars  and  Stripes  of  the  Union. 

"The  presence  of  what  was  then  regarded  as  a  large 
military  body  naturally  excited  susi)icion  and  alarm 
As  was  usual  in  the  earl}-  part  of  tl)e  war,  to((uiet  the 
popular  mind,  a  grandiloquent  proclamation  was  soon 
issued,  assuring  the  citizens  that  the  gallant  army 
now  among  them  had  come,  not  to  oppress  or  to 
interfere  in  their  domestic  institutions,  but  to  [)roteot 
their  lives  and  propt  rty  and  to  preserve  the  peace  of 
the  community.  OlTicers  and  soldiers  associated 
freely  with  our  citizens,  and  soon  a  pretty  general 
feeling  of  confidence  and  good  will  began  to  prevail. 
Protection,  whether  from  friend  or  foe,  was  d(!emed 
preferable  to  the  uncertain  and  defenseless  condition 
in  which  we  had  been  living.  The  rule  of  the 
military  had  begun ;  it  did  not  end  until  the  close  of 
the  war. 

"The  camp  of  the  Zouaves  was  beautifully  located 
on  Rose  Hill,  and  soon  became  a  place  of  popular 
resort.  Around  it  towered  the  grand  mountain 
ranges  of  the  Alleghanies,  dressed  in  their  summer 


1801.] 


KAKLY    DAYS   OF    TlIK    WAR. 


ri\n) 


ioIk's  of    forest    foliaj^e — overgrociiH    and    floworinji; 
lainvls.     On  the  south  rolled  the  Potomac;   at  the 
base  of  the  hill  on  the  north  flowed  Wills'  Creek, 
iiiul  in  full  view  of  the  camp,  nestled  in  the  valley 
t\tei»dinjr  over  Fort  Hill,  lay  the  Queen  City  of  the 
mountains.     Colonel  Lew  Walhu^e   and  some  of  his 
>-tafl"  were  men  of  culture  and  refinement ;  the  rank 
Mild   file    were  courteous  and  gentlemanly  in  their 
(li'portment.     A  fine  band  discoursed  sweet  music  in 
till'   camp  and    through   the    city,    and  every    da3- 
hecauie  festive    with    military    pomp    and    disjilay. 
Trade  began  to  flourish.     The  [)eople  were  assured 
tliat  this  was  only  a  pleasant  picnic  excursion  to  the 
Soiitli ;  there  would  be  no  fighting ;  and  many  began 
to  l>elieve  that  the  war  was   about  over.     But  we 
were  not  permitted  to  enjoy  this  illusive  dream  long. 
.Military  occupation  soon  began  to  make  itself  felt. 
Free  speech  was  no  longer  allowed.     Secession  senti- 
iiionts    were    banned.      Informers     became     busy, 
'iti/.ens  were  arrested    and   marched   under   guard 
to  the  camp,  and  having  received  a  lecture  on  loyalty 
and  the  (Time  of  secession,  were  tendered  the  oath 
of  allegian(;e  and  then  permitted  to  return  to  their 
liomes.     Some  remained  nursing  their  bitter  feelings. 
Others  Hed  to  Virginia  and  entered  the   rebel  army. 
Men  learned  afterward  that  the  mere  expression  of 
opinion  without  overt  acts  did  not  constitute  treason. 
and  that  Ji  forced  oath  was  no  remedy  for  disloyalty."'''' 
Uj)  to   the    first   of  May    there    had  existed   an 
linden lonstrative  armed  neutrality,  amongst  the  citi- 
zens, yet  a  great  deal  of  emphatic  language  was  used 

Hil!u«rltti>n  <!haptt>rK  of  the  War,  b;  Rev.  A.  J.  Weddeli. 


400 


IIISTOKV  OK  ci'mhf:klani>. 


[1861. 


by  the  men  whose  Hyinpathies  were  either  North  or 
South.  The  first  ofxiii  act  of  determined  sentiment 
was  the  display  at  this  time  of  a  hirge  United  States 
flag,  which  was  hung  over  the  street  between  the  8t. 
Nichohis  Hotel  and  the  Belvidere  llall.  This  was 
done  by  Samuel  Lunian.  Sr.,  Samuel  Ltunan,  Jr.. 
Robert  Shriver,  John  M.  Kesley,  Frank  Miller,  and 
a  few  other  determined  Unionists.  Although  some 
trouble  was  anticipated,  no  attempt  was  made  to 
interfere  with  the  flag. 

On  the  l)>th  of  May  the  following  City  officials  had 
been  elected  :  Mayor,  C.  M.  Thruston  ;  Councihneii. 
-T.  J.  McHenrv.  K.  H  Rutler,  Joseph  Tfng|i«- 
Robert  Bruce,  I).  Mahaney,  and  Sanuiel  Luman. 
This  was  the  "Unconditional  Union"  ticket,  there 
being  .ilso  an  "Independent"  ticket,  and  a  "Citizens" 
ticket. 

About  the  first  of  June  it  became  painfully  evident 
that  the  jjeople  of  Western  Maryland  were  destined 
to  feel  the  direct  effects  of  the  war.  The  ])ridges 
over  Patterson's  Creek,  and  over  the  Canal,  near  the 
North  Branch,  were  destroyed  by  a  party  of  Vir- 
ginians, and  communication  with  the  East  was  cut 
off.  On  the  morning  of  the  1 9th  of  June,  a  party  of 
Confederate  soldiery  made  a  descent  on  New  Creek. 
and  burned  the  "21st  bridge,"  of  the  Baltimore  and 
Ohio  Rjiilroad,  which  spanned  the  Potomac  River. 
A  small  guard  had  been  placed  there,  consisting  ol 
some  twenty-eight  men  of  tlie  Cumberland  Continen- 
tals, under  command  of  Lieutenants  James  (J.  Lynn 
and  Theodore  Luman.  When  news  of  the  approach 
of  the  enemy  reached  Cumberland,  Captain  Horace 


1861.]        (UPTUHE   OF    TWENTY-FIRST    HRIIXJE. 


401 


Resley,  with  a  few  additional  men,  hantoned  to  the 
scene.  The  enemy,  however,  was  too  strong  for 
then; ;  and,  to  avoid  capture,  the  entire  command 
retreated  over  the  mountain.s,  and  reached  Cuml)er- 
iand,  by  way  of  the  National  Road.  This  being  the 
initial  conflict  of  the  war  in  this  section,  the  greatest 
excitement  prevailed,  especially  as  wild  rumors  of 
the  total  destruction  of  the  little  command,  and  the 
marshaling  of  a  strong  force  to  attack  (Cumberland, 
were  freely  circulated .  The  entire  poj)ulation  rushed 
into  the  streets,  bells  rung  in  every  part  of  the  town, 
and  the  women  and  children  were  in  a  state  of  terror, 
''done!  Wallace  struck  tents,  and  sent  his  baggage 
towards  Bedford  for  safety,  the  Zouaves  taking  up  a 
position  of  defense  on  the  Bedfonl  road,  just  beyond 
the  city  limits.  The  Continentals  and  Union  Home 
Guards  turned  out  under  arms;  a  hundred  men  from 
Frostburg,  under  c(mimand  of  Mnjor  F.  A.  Mason, 
and  a  company  from  Wellersburg,  with  Captain 
Petrie,  were  on  hand  in  a  few  liours.  Other  compa- 
nies arrived  next  morning  from  Grantsville,  Bedford, 
•entreville  and  Pocahontas.  Armed  men,  in  small 
squads,  continued  to  arrive  all  day,  and  not  until 
nightfall  did  the  panic  subside.  The  Zouaves  then 
marched  back  to  their  quarters,  and  next  day  the 
«inipanies  from  abroad  took  their  departure,  leaving 
i'umberland  to  settle  down  to  her  usual  quiet. 

June  V). — An  election  for  a  (congressman  from  this 
District  took  place,  and  Hon.  Francis  Thomas,  the 
Luconditional  Union  candidate,  was  elected  by  an 
immense  vote.    The  whole  number  of  ballots  cast  was 

'^.008,  of  which  Governor  Thomas  received  2,751. 
51 


402 


HISTORV    OF     CUMHEKLAND. 


[IMJI. 


Juiit!  20. — Joseph  RoinistT,  one  of  the  lueinhersor 
Ji  vohiiitt!er  coinpjiny  of  citizens  from  Fro.stbur;r,  was 
badly  wounded  by  the  si(!cidentiil  discharge  of  a  gun. 
The  ball  entered  his  head  back  of  the  right  ear  and 
came  out  near  the  riglit  eye.  He  eventually 
recovered. 

July  7. — Colonel  Wallace,  with  his  regiment,  left. 
and  went  East,  to  Martinsburg.  The  Kant;  KiHc 
lleginient.  under  Colonel  (Jharles  J.  Bidwell,  and  the 
Second  Regiment,  under  (volonel  S.  G.  Sinnnons,  both 
from  l\Mnisylvaniji,  arrived,  and  encamped  on  the 
ground  vacated  by  the  Zouaves.  These  troops 
remained  here  until  the  27th  of  July. 

In  August,  (hiring  the  progress  of  a  political 
meetinu".  on  Baltimore  street,  one  nitrht,  a  disturbamr 
arose  by  reason  of  Hon.  Francis  Thomas  boinj: 
interrupted  in  his  sj)eech,  and  a  large  (jrowd  of  men 
at  once  made  a  descent  on  the  office  of  "The 
Alleganian,"  which  was  Southern  in  its  sympathies. 
The  office  was  wholly  destroyed,  the  material  being 
thrown  out  of  the  windows. 

At  this  time  Hon.  Francis  Thomas  was  autliorizod 
to  provide  for  the  organization  of  four  regiments,  to 
be  composed  of  residents  on  both  sides  of  the  Potonmc 
river,  from  Monocacy  to  the  Western  boundary  of 
Maryland,  who  were  to  perform  service  in  the  vicinity 
of  tlie  Potomac  river.  Under  tliis  authority  a  full 
regiment  of  infantry  was  raised  in  Allegany  county. 
and  by  the  Ist  of  October  was  armed,  eciuippod. 
and  in  camp,  at  Cumberland,  as  the  Secoml  | 
Maryland     Regiment  Volunteer  Infantry.   Potomac 


Home   Brigade. 


The  orgajiization    of  the  regiment 


1801.]        SKCONI)  MAUYLAM)  HECIMKNT,   I".   H.  H.  40.^ 


;it  the    (late   of  its   muster  into  the    I'liited   States 
service  was  as  follows : 

Colonel,  Thomas  Johns.* 

Lieutentuit  Colonel,  Robert  Bruce. 

Miijor,  (!.  Ellis  Porter. 

Adjutant,  Orlando  I).  Robbins. 

Quarter-Muster,    Kenne^ly  H.  IJutlcr. 

Siirtreon,  I)r.  S.  P.  Smith.     Assistant  Snrjreon.  I>r.  P.  A.  Healey. 

Chaplain,  Rev.  J.  II.  Symmes. 

Company  A — Captain,  Alexander  Shawf ;  l''irst  Lieutenant,  John 
l)niijrlas;  Second  Lieutenant,  Andrew  Spier. 

Company  H — Captain,  J.  D.  Roberts;  First  Lieutenant,  James  A. 
Morrow;  Second  Lieutenant,  A.  S.  (laliion. 

Company  C — Captain,  John  H.  Huntley  ;  First  Lieu'enant,  John  Weir: 
Second  Lieutenant,  Richard  C.  Sansom. 

Company  1) — Captain,  B.  B.  Shaw  :  First  Lieutenant,  Robert  Powell : 
Second  Lieutenant,  Mark  Powell, 

Company  E — Captain,  James  C.Lynn;  First  Ijieutenant,  Theodore 
i.uman  ;  Second  Lieutenant.  Georjje  Couter. 

Company  F — Captain,  Lewis  Dyke ;  First  Lieutenant,  Norval  Mc- 
Kiiiley  ;  Second  Lieutenant,  George  D.  Somers.J 

Company  G — Captain,  C.  (!.  McClcllan  :  First  Lieutenant.  Robert 
Cowan  ;  Second  Lieutenant,  IJoyd  Mahaney. 

Company  II — Captain,  George  IL  Braponier ;  First  Lieutenant,  S. 
T. Little;  Second  Lioutenant,  Georgre  W.  McCuUoh. 

Company  I — Captain,  J.   F.   McCulIoh  ;  First   Lieutenant,  James   M. 
Shober;  Second  Lieutenant,  John  F.  Troxell. 

Company  Iv — Captain,  P.  B.  Petrie;  First  Lieutenant,  Jason  G. 
Sawyer;  Second  Lieutenant,  Moses  Bickford. 

the  promotions  in  this  regiment  during  its  three  years'  service  wer« 
as  follows:  Robert  Bruce  to  be  Colonel ;  G.  Ellis  Porter  to  be  Lieutenant- 
'.'olonol ;  Alexander  Shaw  and  John  II.  Huntley  to  be  Majors  ;  Theodore 
Luman  to  l)e  Adjutant;  .Tohn  Douglas,  .lames  A.  Morrow,  John  Weir, 
and  Norval  Mclvinloy  to  be  Captains  ;  Andrew  Spier,  Alexander  Tennant, 
Lloyd  Mahaney,  Richard  C.  Sansom,  and  George  Couter  to  be  First 
Lieutenants;  James  Thompson,  Emory  W.  Pelton,  David  C.Edwards, 
^ieofffe  Wigley,  and  Moses  Bickford  to  be  Second  Lieutenanto. 

At  the  expiration  of  the  three  years  for  which  this  regiment  wa.s 
"nlisted,  four  companies  of  veterans  were  re-enlisted,  and  organized  into 
H battalion,  the  officers  being:  Lieutenant-Colonel,  James  C.  Lynn; 
Captains,  J.  Floyd  McCulloh,  P.  B.  Petrie,  H.  H.  Hartsock  and  Robert 
Cowan;  First  Lieutenants,  Charles  H.  Thayer,  James  A.  Howard,  LouisN . 
ijondon  and  A.  Brown  Lynn  ;  Second  Lieutenants,  Levi  Shaw,  JaraesA. 
'iIcKee.  Jacob  H.  Buckey  and  Richard  T.  Browning. 

At  the  general  election  in  November,  the  candidates 
ucrerun  on  "Union"  and  "Peace"  tickets,  the  Union 
ticket  being  successful.     Thomas  G.  McCulloh   was 


"lie»imio(i  .i^„„arv  1,180-2:  succeeded  hv  rotoiiel  Robert  Ilnicp;  O  Kills  Porter  was  at  ssfno 
'•ra^ promoted  to  I.i'eulermiit  Colonel. 

I'aptoiii  Slmw  wRH  promoted  to  Major,  .'aiiuary  1802,  and  re.Higiicd  March  31,  1802,  liin  siicces- 
"1^1*111)!  M»inr  .Tohn  11.  UtiiitleT. 

Il'roinoted  to  Captain;  killed  In' action  at  .Summit  Point,  Va.,  Ootcbar  7,  1863. 


404 


HISTORY    OF   OUMBKRLANI). 


[18G2. 


elected  Sheriff;  Delegates  to  the  Legislature,  Ooorgo 
A.  Pearre,  Lloyd  Lowe,  (J.  W.  White,  A.  (>hainl)('r- 
lain.  County  (JommissionerH,  Wni.  R,  MeCuUey. 
Daniel  Duncan,  David  Kent,  Ashford  Trail,  David 
Cornpton.     Surveyor,  William  Brace. 

The  canal  and  railroad  weiv  niu(^li  damaged,  by 
treshets  and  by  incursioUvS  by  the  enemy.  Both  were 
put  under  military  supervision,  and  protected  as  well 
as  possible,  but  the  railroad  was  so  badly  damaged 
in  June,  18G1,  that  lor  almost  a  year  it  was  useless. 

Early  in  18G2,  by  orders  from  the  War  IX'partniont. 
extensive  hospitals  were  established  in  Cumberland. 
Cor  the  reception  of  the  sick  and  wounded  from  iM)int,s 
both  Kast  and  West.  The  citizens,  especially  the 
ladies,  were  c<mstant  in  their  kindness  and  attention 
to  the  suilerers  who  were  brought  here.  In  Februtuy. 
1862,  there  were  57  deaths,  mostly  of  men  from  Olii(t 
and  Indiana. 

May  12. — Mayor,  C.  H.  Ohr;  Councilmen,  Josepii 
Hughes,  Jacob  Wickard,  M,  L.  Rizer,  V.  A.  Buckev. 
(rcorge  W.  Hoover,  William  Hoblitzell. 

In  May  the  Third  Regiment  Maryland  Volunteer 
Infantry,  Potomac  Home  Brigade,  was  mustered  into 
service.  A  large  proportion  of  this  regiment  was 
composed  of  men  enlisted  at  Cumberland,  the  reniain- 
<ler  coming  from  Baltimore,  Hagerstown  and  Ellicott's 
Mills.     The  officers  were  as  follows : 

Ijieutentint-Colonel,  Stephen  VV.  Downey.* 
Major,  Charles  1j.  Graflin.f 
Adjutant,  N.  M.  Ambrose. 

Surgeon,  C.  E.  S.  McKee ;  Assistant  Surgeon,  Jesse  Beerbower. 
Company  A — Captain,  .fames    S.   Inskeep;  First    Lieutenant,  Jolm 
Coles ;  Second  Lieutenant,  William  A.  Cross.  _ 

*Owini{  toBome  minuiidfirstaiidiug  in  rcBard   to  tiling  the  regimental    rolls  at   AnD»poli> 
Colonel  Downey  wan  not  commiwloned,  and  ke  rexiKned  Novembers,  1862. 
tKeitiKued  January  lU,  1863;  uucct-eded  by  Mi\jor  Crawford  Shearer. 


1802.] 


TIIIUI)  MAUYLANF)  KEGIMENT,  V.  11.  H.       405 


Company    IJ — Captain,    Win.   F.   Cardiff;    First    Lieutenant,  Moses 

ieutcnant.  Wm.   H. 


Whillord  ;  Second  Lieutenant,  John  K.  Whitford. 

in,  Harry  (J.    Ri"r;    First    L 


r3n77rAnD»I>ol» 


Company  C — (>aptai 
Jarboc  ;  Second  Lieutenant,  Charles  F.  McAleer. 

Company  I) — Captain,  Miciiaol  Fallon;  First  Lieutenant,  .'oseph  L. 
Forsyth;  Second  Lieutisnant,  .lohn  M.  Armstrong. 

Company  K — Captain,    Henry    U.  McCoy  ;  First  Lieutenant,  John  W, 
Dodson  ;  Second  Lieutenant,  Theodore  Goff. 

Company    F — Captain,   Kobert   Maxwell;  First  Lieutenant,    Peter  J. 
Mayberry  ;  Second  Lieutenant,  VVra.  H.  Foreman. 

Company  G — Captain,  Jacob  Sarbaugh*;  First  I^ieutenant,  Wm.  PL 
llipsly ;  Second  Lieutenant,  Joseph  K.  i'itman. 

Company  H — Captain,  Wm.  A.  Falkenstine;  First  Lieutenant,  Fred- 
trick  Pringey*;  Second  Lieutenant,  Hanson  ii.  Friend. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Ste|)hen  W.  Downey,  resigned  September  1, 
ISC'i;  and  Charles  Gilpin  was  mustered  in  as  Lieutenant-Colonel  Septem- 
ber 2,  1H()2;  and  promoted  to  Colonel  April  1(1,  1864,  having  recruited 
two  additional  companies,  thereby  making  up  a  full  regiment;  and  re- 
mained in  service  until  the  regiment  was  reduced  to  a  battalion,  by  the 
(xpiralion  of  the  term  of  service  of  three  companies.  Afterwards,  the 
battalion  was  commanded  by  Harry  C.  Rizer,  who  was  promoted  to 
liii'uteiiant  Colonel,  the  following  ollicers  remaining  in  command  of  com- 
panies: ('aptains,  Wm.  A.  Falkenstine,  N.  M.  Ambrose,  John  W.  Dod- 
son, James  K.  Garrahan,  (lustavus  V'alois,  Samuel  T.  Kck,  and  Charles 
I'ratt ;  First  Lieutenants,  Kphraim  C.  Hedding,  John  W.Cook,  Wm.  J. 
iionahoe,  .lames  W.  White,  Wm.  H.  H.  Friend;  Benjamin  F.  Cook,  R. 
Q.  M.;  Frank  A.  Penny,  Adjutant ;  Wm.  H.  Foreman,  Augustus  Robinett, 
and  Daniel  C.  Shriver ;  Second  liieutenant,  Theodore  Goff. 

In  the  siurimer  of  1802  the  President  itssuod  a  call 
lor  300,000  troops.  The  leading  Union  men  of 
Allegany  County  took  steps  towards  securing  the 
voluntary  enlistment  of  a  sufficient  number  of  men 
to  till  her  quota.  A.  "'war  mass  meeting"  was  held 
im  the  18th  of  August,  for  the  purpose  of  adopting 
luoasures  whereb}^  volunteers  might  be  secured, 
(ienei'al  C  M.  Thruston  was  made  President  of  the 
iiiet'ting ;  Lloyd  Lowe  and  F.  A.  Mason,  Vice  Presi- 
dents, and  William  R.  Me(Julley  and  William 
Iloblitzell,  Secretaries.  Messrs.  ( Jharles  H.  Ohr,  S. 
I*.  Smith,  M.  Sherry,  G.  E.  Porter  and  Hopewell 
llebb,  a  committee,  submitted  resolutions,  declaring  it 
to  bo  the  duty  of  the  })eople  to  maintain  the  gov- 
'■minent,  and  requesting  the  County  Commissioners 

•Killed  at  BoUvHr  Heightart^ptember  14,  ISffit.  ~ 


400 


IIISTOIJV   OF    rUMnKHLAND. 


[iHOli. 


to  apjU'ojM'iiitc  $•')(), (KM)  to  Im'  applied  to  tlu'  [)iiyin('ii( 
of  Ixmiitics  to  voliiiitccfs.  'IMic  ('oimnis.sionoi'H  coii- 
rtidoivd  this  proposition  in  Si'pti'Uilicr,  l>ut  <l('('lin«'(l  to 
take  siudi  action  at  tlic  tinu'. 

Several  recruiting  oflices  were  openeil  in  tlic 
city,  and  under  tlie  induceini'uts  of  larji'e  lioinitifs 
many  enlisted. 

A  innnlxM'  ol'  youiijj;  men  whose  sympatiiies  wen- 
with  the  South  left,  to  join  the  (onlederate  army, 
Amoii<!;st  them  were  : 

llichiinl  li.  VAnrv, 
Thnd.  W.  Cldr}',* 
Win.  Armstrong',* 
tfoHcph  I'(!nniii{rt()n,Jr. 
Winters, 


Peter  Devocmon, 
John  (}.  Lynn,  Jr, 
Spri^'i;  S.  Ijynn,* 
Diivid  Ijynn, 
.1.  M.  Fiiy, 
.Iiic'ol)  (iiiHsnian,* 
W.  \V.  MfKnij?,  Jr, 
J.  V.  F..  McKaifT, 


H,  A.  Hij^jjin.s, 
.Ins.  A.Cahill. 
\V.  H.  Cahill,* 
.1.  H'-nry  Shriver.* 
.lohn  H.  Shriver, 
Anthonv  Hhriver, 
All)ert  Kice,t 
liiimnr  Spring, 


ThnmnH  I.  McKaig,  .Ir,  Van  Lear  Perry, 
l'](lwar(l  IJryan,  CharleH  Hruce.t 

Jolm  Palmer,  Oharles  NichnlH. 

Harry  Oiiborn,  Walter  Kruce, 

Dr.  Thomas  A.Hcaley,  James  R.  Annan. 


M.  A.  Iloalcy, 
James  'I'avlor, 
Harry  U.  Black, 
Matthew  CofTey, 
John  Onlvin, 
John  I).  Moundz, 
liloyd  Ij.  Clary, 
John  Hadley, 
John  Dermody, 


Jamea   IJriscoe, 
Theodore  Dawson, 
.lames  A.  Mason, 
Walter  Chisholin, 
Harlan  Tabb, 
Peyton  Tabb, 
C.  .lames  Dailey,* 
Kd.  Browning,* 
(leorjje  Hitter, 
William  1).  Hove, 
Samuel  Hove, 


Iloberdean  Annan,* 

Roger  Annan, 

Duncan  McBlair, 

Captain  C.  H.  MeHlair,  Peter  Chisholni, 

Charles  McBlair,*  Fetter  S.  Hoblitzoll. 

Thos.  M.  Healey,  Thomas  W.  West, 

Wm.  Lamar,  H.  P.  Task(>r, 

John  McClafferty,*  Malcolm  G.  Harmi?on,t 

James  Pollock,  James  R.  Hip^ins, 

Thomas  Ooldsborough, 

:i;W'oiiiiileil.    tKilled. 

Apprehending  a  visit  from  the  small  ('onfederiitr 
forces  in  the  bordering  counties  of  West  Virginia,  the 
city  authorities  secured  the  organization  of  a  Citv 
Ciuard.  Three  companies  were  formed  of  volunteer 
citizens,  and  were  officered  as  follows : 

First  District. — (^aptain,  (Jasper  Kassen  ;  First 
Lieutenant,  .Toshua  Steiner ;  Second  Lieutenant. 
James  A.   Buckey ;   Orderly  Serg(uint,  D.  B.  Myers. 


m\±] 


INCIDKNTS    OF    UIK    W.Wi. 


•1(»' 


.  Si'c.oikI  District. — Captain,  .Taooh  Wickanl;  First 
Mciitcnant,  Williiuu  R.  McCnIlcy;  Second  riiciitcnant, 
.1.  M.  Kocrnor;  Orderly  Ser^-cjuit,  ('liarles  A.  Seay. 
Third  District. — Ciiptain  Horace  Ilesley;  First 
Ijcntenant,  .).  .1.  .M<dleiirv ;  Second  rjieuteiiant.  .1. 
K.  Troxoll;  Orderly  Serj^eant,  (ieorj^o  M.   Road. 

Ilonu-e  Resley  was  afterwards  elected  fiieiitenant 
Ciilonel.  to  C(nniiiand  the  ('itv  (luard. 

The  Kighty-Fourth  Ohio  Infantry,  a  regiment  of 
tliice-nionths'  voinnteers,  nnder  connnand  of  (.'olonel 
William  r^nwrence,  had  heen  stationed  here  in  .luno, 
I  poll  the  expiration  oi'  thisir  term,  in  Septend)er, 
tlii'v  were  nuistered  ont  ol'  the  service,  an<l  the 
Second  liCLdinent  Maryland  Vcdnnteers,  i'otomac 
lloiiic  hri^ade.  under  (-olonel  Rohert  Bruce,  was 
;issi<ine(l  to  duty  in  their  ))lace. 

Ill  response  to  tlie  call  for  v<dnnteers,  Allej^any 
had  ()utsti'ip[)ed  every  other  county  in  the  State,  and 
when  the  draft  was  ordered,  in  October,  1S(»2,  she 
had  already  furnished  l,4()'J  volunteers.  Her  ([uotii 
iii'ing  })ut  S72,  there  was  no  necessity  for  the  en force- 
imnt  of  the  draft  within  the  county  limits. 

It  having  been  ordered  that  all  the  militia  in  the 
State  should  be  enrolled,  the  Governor  appointed  ('has. 
'lilpin  Commissioner  of  Enrollment  in  Allegany 
coiuity.  The  numl)er  enrolled  by  him  amounted  to 
^.714,  the  work  being  completed  early  in  September. 
A  raid  was  made  about  the  middle  of  September, 
hy  the  Confederates,  and  both  the  railroad  and  (!aiial 
iigain  badly  damaged,  some  twenty  miles  of  the 
latter  being  almost  destroyed. 
On  the  1st  of  October,  George  T.  Knorr  commenced 


408 


rnsToKv  (W  (juNfHMKLAvi).       [IHtl^J-ii;;. 


the  publication  of  ii  wcokly  iiew.spiiiH'r.  in  Ciimlx't- 
land,  eiititi(>(l  "Tlic  rnion."  It  wus  <liH(M)iitiini('(l  in 
ISC.S. 

Ill  OctoIxT  the  lioMpitiils  jit  (MjiryMvillo  wrw  trans- 
ierrod  to  ('unilK'rlaiul,  under  tht  'ction  of  Dr. 
rioor^o  H.  Oliver,  Medical  Directoi  Tlie  lielvidcic 
Hall,  tlio  old  PreHbyteriaii  Church  and  the  'Old 
Mill,"  on  South  Mechanic  .street,  were  anionjiHt  the 
buildiiifJtH  taken  for  the  pur[M)se, 

(icn.  n.  V.  Kelly,  in  command  of  the  Departmciit 
of  West  Vir<»inia,  ewtabliwhed  his  headcpiarters  in 
(^nnJKM'land.  (.'aptain  (Jeorj^e  W.  Harrison  was 
appointed  Depot  Quartermaster,  and  Captain  W.  II. 
Ilosack,  l)o[)ot  ('ommissarv. 

January  10.— -The  Cuniln'rland  (jity  Bank  was 
established,  in  the  old  Cuml)erlaj  ?ank  building. 
with  Allre^l  Spjitcs  as  President,  .  i  William  E. 
WelxM-  Cashier. 

April  I. — ^Dr.  C.  H.  Ohr  was  appointed  Exaniininj; 
Surgeon,  by  the  Commissioner  of  Pensions. 

The  conHict  of  opinion  as  to  all  matters  |XM'taiii- 
ing  to  politics,  the  conduct  of  the  war,  the  right  ol' 
secession,  and  the  }X)licy  of  the  administration,  was 
not  in  the  slightest  degree  diminished  by  the  progress 
of  events;  on  the  contrary,  the  op})osing  elements 
became  more  and  more  embittered,  but  the  Union 
sentiment,  supported  by  the  Government,  steadily 
prevailed.  On  the  2?)d  of  April,  1863,  a  county 
mass  meeting  of  Union  men  was  held  at  the  Court 
House,  on  whicli  occasion  a  series  of  resolutions  was 
adopted  expressing  full  confidence  in  the  admin- 
istration,  and  urging  the  election   of  a  Legisluturo 


18(;:5.] 


SFA'KN    I'KOI'LK    nURNED   TO   DKATII. 


40!) 


which  .should  tsikt'  iimiu'diatc  Htcps  toward  thr 
jiholition  of  .slavery  in  the  Statf.  The  ollleers  of 
tlii.s  mectin<^  were  as  l'ollovv.s:  Prosideiit,  JoHoph 
Shriver;  Vice  PrcsidontH,  William  Shaw,  Pilijah 
Friond,  M.  Sherry.  liloyd  Lowe,  John  Mantz  and 
K])liraini  Browning, 

On  the  2Gth  of  April,  .some  unknown  wretch  set 
lire  to  the  dwellin<i'  of  Mr.  Joseph  Sprigji;,  and  also 
to  tiie  sta!)le  on  his  premises.  Mr.  Sprigg  was  at 
tilt'  time  confined  to  his  hed  by  sickness.  Fortunately 
his  house  was  savc^d,  with  but  littU?  damage,  but 
tho  stable  was  burned  to  the  ground,  the  inmates, 
>i'ven  colored  [X'ople.  who  occupied  the  second  story 
lis  sleeping  apartments,  being  consumed  in  the 
tliiines.  The.se  were  the  .servants  of  Mr.  S[)rigg, 
iind  consisted  of  one  man,  one  woman,  and  five 
iliildren.  The  soldiers  I'rom  the  hospital,  near  by, 
rendered  ever}-  service  in  their  power,  ])ut  the 
heartless  work  of  the  incendiary  had  been  .so 
tUk'tively  accomplished  that  it  was  impo.ssible  to 
icsciie  from  the  burning  stable  a  single  one  of  the 
iin fortunate  victims  therein. 

May  11. — Mayor,  James  Smith;  (Jouncilmen,  A. 
'  Ryland,  John  McFerran,  Henry  Shuck,  John  T. 
Shuck,  Thomas  McKee,  and  V.  A.  Buckcy. 

On  the  15th  of  June,  in  consequence  of  the  defeat 
'>l  General  Milroy's  command  at  Winchester,  orders 
were  issued  by  the  commandant  of  this  department 
tor  the  evacuation  of  Cumberland,  and  the  concen- 
tration of  the  Union  forces  at  New  Creek,  whereupon 
the  provision   and  supply  trains   were  immediately 

^i'ut  off,  together  with  all  the  horses,  &c.     The  Fif- 
52 


410 


IflSTOKV    OF    C[J.MRK!?F.A\(). 


[1863, 


teeiith  Virginia  Regiment,  and  the  Second  Regiment. 
P.  H.  B.,  both  of  which  were  on  duty  in  this  vicinity, 
followed,  and  Cumlx?rhind  was  left  wholly  inipro- 
t(»cted.  A  thousand  runiorM  were  80on  afloat,  and 
the  streets  were  filled  with  excited  people,  who  were 
in  niouientary  expectation  of  the  appearance  of  the 
(confederates.  Their  apprehensions  were  still  further 
excited  by  the  removal  of  the  rolling  stock,  moveable 
machinery,  &c..  of  the  railroad  company.  On  tlie 
loth  it  was  reported  that  the  enemy  was  rapidlv 
appn-aching  the  city  in  force,  whereupcm  a  number 
of  citizens  retired  with  consid(>rable  precipitancy  in  I 
the  direction  of  Pennsylvania,  and  merchants  began 
tu  cast  about  for  means  wherebv  thev  miirlit  save 
their  goods  from  confiscation  by  the  expected  visitor.^. 
Night  came,  however,  and  brought  with  it  no  enemy. 
But  the  early  down  discovered  a  small  squad  of 
strange  looking  men  on  the  brow  of  the  hill,  oast  ut' 
the  city,  on  the  Williams  R(jad.  Several  of  the  es- 
caped cavalrymen,  from  Milroy's  command,  advanced 
to  ascertain  whether  thej'  w^ere  friends  or  foes,  and 
were  saluted  by  the  discharge  of  two  small  field 
pieces,  the  shells  from  which  dropped  in  the  vicinity 
of  McKaig's  foundry,  whereupon  the  aforesaid  cay- 
alrymen  retired  with  connnendable  speed.  The 
presence  of  the  enemy  was  quickly  heralded  througli- 
out  the  city;  a  few  more  citizens  took  refuge  in  flight. 
while  the  merchants  generally  closed  up  their  stores 
and  joined  the  excited  groups  that  gathered  on  the 
streets.  In  a  little  while  two  representives  of  the 
Confederacy  rode  into  town,  with  a  Hag  of  truce. 
Shortly  afterwards  acting  Mayor  V.  A.  Buckey,  head- 


[186o,     H     I860.]         CONFKDEKATES   TAKE   CUMHEHLAND.  411 


d  Regiment. 
;his  vicinity, 
lolly   niipR)- 
1  atloat.  and 
le,  who  were 
-anct'  of  the 
3  still  i'urtlK'i- 
ck.  moveal)k' 
ny.     On  the 
was  rapidly 
)ii  a  number 
•ecipitant'V  in 
■chants  began 
•    niiu'lit   siivi' 
cctecl  visitoi>. 
li  it  lu)  enemy, 
lall   squad   of 
e  hill  oast  ot' 
ral  of  the  es- 
md,  advanced 
or  foes,  and 
)   small   licld 
I  the  vicinity 
iforesaid  cav- 
speed.     The 
Ided  through- 
.fug-e  in  flight, 
t  their  stores 
hered  on  the 
itives  of  the 
Hag  of  truce. 
huckey,  head- 


ing a  dei)utation  of  citizens,  with  a  similar  Hag,  mot 
the  emissaries  of  tbo  Coni'ederacy,  and  a  consulta- 
tion wa.s  held,  the  result  of  which  was  that  the 
town  was  surrendered,  with  the  understanding  that 
private  property  was  to  be  respected,  and  no  depre- 
dations to  be  permitted. 
Tlie  following  is  the  correspondence  on    the   occa- 

>ion : 

To  the  Commatiding  Officer  of  Cumberland . 

You  are  surrounded  by  a  superior  force,  ami  as  an  act  ot  humanity,  1 
demand  the  surrender  of  the  city.  The  bearer,  Captain  R.  B.  Muses,  is 
autkorized  to  negotiate  as  to  terms  of  surrender. 

G.  \V.  LMB0DP:N,  Colonel  Cavalry  Brigade. 

Til  is  letter  was  handed  Mayor  Buckey.  and  the 
tblluwing  response  made: 

G.  W.  Imboden,  Colonel  Commanding  Confederate  Forces  : 

Sir:  Your  note  addressed  to  odicer  commanding  at  this  point  has 
just  been  handed  to  me,  and  as  there  is  no  force  here  to  resist  you,  and 
no  officer  in  command,  I,  as  Mayor,  for  the  time  being,  do  as  far  as  I  can, 
<tirrender  the  city  as  demanded,  upon  the  following  terms,  viz  :  that 
private  persons  and  property,  and  the  property  of  the  State  of  Maryland 
bere.spected.  V.  A.  BnCKKY".  Mayor  pro  tern  of  Cumberland. 

Colonel  Imhoden  accejited  the  terms  in  the  follow- 
ing note : 

To  the  Acting  Mayor  of  Cumberland  : 

Sir:  I  will  receive  a  surrender  of  the  City  of  Cumberland,  and  will 
respect  all  private  property  except  such  property  as  the  Quarter  Master 
lay  desire  for  the  Confederate  States.  No  public  property  excr>t  of 
the  State  of  Maryland  will  be  respected. 

Very  respectfully  your  obedie:     s?rvant, 

f!.  W.  IMHODKN,  Colonel  Cavalry  Brigade. 

About  850  of  Imlxxlen's  cavalry,  with  two  pieces 
i>t'  artillery,  presently  appeared,  and  after  securing 
"^uch  horses  as  th^y  could  find,  induced  some  of  the 
ir.erchants  to  opJii  their  sttu'es.  The  Confederates 
then  purchased  pretty  freely  such  articles  as  hats, 
boots,  shoes,  clothing,  kc,  paying  iov  the  same  in 
'  oufederate  money,  a  species  of  currency  which  had 
'lien  a  rather  limited  value.     No  damage  was  done 


412 


HISTORY   OF    CUMBERLAND. 


[18(i;j. 


to  eitlier  public  or  private  property,  beyond  the 
destruction  of  a  portion  of  the  telegraph  lines.  The 
( 'onfederateH  were  ill  at  ea^e  while  in  town,  knowing 
that  a  coiiHiderable  force  of  Union  troops  was  at  New 
Creek,  and  might  at  any  moment  put  them  to  flight. 
After  a  few  hours,  spent  about  the  streets,  they 
departed,  being  accompanied  by  several  young  men 
who  concluded    to    cast   their  lot    with  the   South. 

General  Kelly  and  staff  had  arrived  in  town,  from 
Pennsylvania,  on  Tuesday  night,  and  left  for  New 
(Jreek  about  the  time  of  the  arrival  of  ImbodeiiV 
men  next  morning.  Finding  a  portion  of  the  Bulti- 
niore  and  Ohio  Railroad  torn  up,  a  short  distance 
from  town,  the  tnain  up(»';  which  they  had  embarked 
was  brought  back,  and  taken  over  the  Cumberland 
and  Pennsylvania  Railroad,  to  Piedmont,  and  thence 
to  New  Creek.  On  the  following  day  a  force  of 
cavalry,  from  New  (Jreek,  came  to  (Aimberland,  and 
captured  several  of  Imboden's  command  who  had 
remained  with  friends  in  town.  In  a  few  days  the 
excitement  subsided,  and  the  routine  of  business, 
pleasure  and  gossip  was  resumed. 

rhe  raiders  did  no  violence  to  person,  except  in 
the  case  of  Griffin  Twigg,  Sr.,  living  near  Murley^ 
Branch.  The  particulars  are  not  exactly  known, 
but  the  old  man  was  killed  ;  not,  however,  until  he 
had  killed  two  of  the  enemy  and  wounded  another. 

The  railroad  and  canal,  as  well  as  the  telegraph 
lines,  were  badly  damaged,  and  communication  was 
not  restored  for  more  than  a  month. 

During  the  continuance  of  the  war  that  portion  ei 
(^^imberland  known  as  the  "Devil's  Half  Acre,"  em- 


[18(i:-5. 


1863.] 


INCIDENTS   OF    THK    WAR. 


41:) 


beyond  the 
lines.  The 
^n,  knowing 
waH  at  New 
mi  to  flight. 
treets,  they 
young  men 

the  South. 
n  town,  from 
eft  for  New 
)f  InibodenV 
of  the  Biilti- 
lort  distance 
lad  embarked 

Cuniberhind 
it,  and  thence 
lay  a   lorce  of 
iiberhind.  and 

uid  who  had 

few  days  the 
of  business. 

^on,  except  in 
lear  Hurleys 
[actly  known. 

jver,  mitil  lit' 
lied  another. 
Ithe  telegraph 

Imication  wa^ 

iiat  portion  <>l 
llf  Acre,"  em- 


bracing Bedford  street  between  Liberty  and  Mechanic. 
and  that  portion  of  Mechanic  immediately  adjoining, 
was  a  most  disreputable  locality,  being  a  congrega- 
tion of  saknms  and  low  houses.  Disturbances  and 
riots  were  of  almost  nightly  occurrence.  On  the 
night  of  the  13th  of  August  a  light  occurred  there 
betwcn  some  soldiers,  in  which  William  Frazier,  n 
private  in  Company  K,  First  Virginia  Cavalry,  was 
cut  to  pieces  with  knives  ''did  almost  instantly  killed, 
by  James  Quick  in  con)^jany  with  Jacob  Krissinger. 
of  the  Second  Marylaid,  P.  H.  B.  (^uick  was  after- 
wards convicted  A'  manslaughter,  and  Krissingei' 
was  ac(]uitted. 

Amongst  the  soldiers  located  here  was  a  [)art  of  a 
regiment  known  as  the   Ringgold  Chivalry.     One  of 

their  number  being  confined  in  jail,  on  some  charge. 

;i  party  of  them  went  to  the  jail  on  the  night  of  the 

I'.lth  of  September,  and  released  him  by  force. 
November  4.  — Hon.  Francis  Thomas  was  re-elected 

to  Congress;  State  Senator,  Dr.  C.  H.  Ohr;  Delegates, 

.V.  C.  Greene,  Hopewell    Hebb,   Henry  Brown,  and 

William  Shaw;   Clerk  of  the  Court,  Horace  Resk'y; 

Register  of  Wills,  George  W.  Hoover;  Sheriff,  B.  T. 

Oarlitz;     State's    Attorney,    George     A.    Thruston; 

Judges  of  Orphans'  Court,  J.  B.  H.  ('ampbell,  A.  M. 

li.  Hush  and  Douglas  Percy;  County  Commissioners. 

•lohn  Bell,  Charles  Ridgeley,  J.  L.  Townshend,  John 

11.  Stallings,  and  Elijah  Friend. 
November  18. — General  Kelly   returned  to  Cum- 

Ix'rland.  and    established   his   headquarters   in   the 

Barnum  House, 
hi    March,   1864,   General  Franz   Sigel  was   as- 


: 


414 


HISTORV   OF   CUMBERLAND. 


[18G4. 


signed  to  the  command  of  the  Department  of  Wont 
Virginia,  and  made  his  headquarters  in  Cumberland, 
at  the  Revere  House.  In  the  hitter  part  of  Miircli 
he  ordered  the  erection  of  earth-works  on  McKai^'s 
Hill,  and  a  fort  on  the  hill  near  Williams  Road. 
These  were  constructed  under  the  supervision  of 
his  engineers,  and  are  still  in  existence,  thoun-h 
umch  dilapidated. 

The  question  of  emancipating  the  shives  in  Mary- 
land was  one  which  was  warmly  discussed  in 
18G3-64,  and  the  Legislature  ordered  a  vote  to  be 
taken  in  April  as  to  whether  a  State  Convention 
should  be  held  for  the  purpose  of  amending  the 
Constitution.  The  Convention  was  ordered  by  a 
large  majority  of  the  voters,  there  being  61  delo- 
gates  elected  in  favor  of  unconditioi  «il  emancij)atioii. 
and  34  opposed  to  emancipation.  The  emancipation 
candidates  in  Allegany  were  A.  C.  Greene,  Hopewell 
Hebb,  Jacob  Wickard,  G.  A.  Thruston  and  J.  Rohi- 
nette.  The  opposition  candidates  were  Williiun 
Browning,  J.  W.   Robinette,  Henry    Hanekamp,  J. 

B,  Widener  and  Israel  Thompson.  The  emancipn- 
tion  candidates  were  elected  by  1,170  majority,  the 
vote  in  favor  of  holding  a  Convention  being  2,307 
for,  to  1,135  against. 

April  13. — A  Sergeant  of  the  First  New  York 
Cavalry  shot  and  killed  Charles  Clause,  of  Company 

C,  Second  Maryland  P.  H.  B.,  the  ball  passing 
through  his  heart.  The  tragedy  occurred  on  Balti- 
more street. 

May  9. — Mayor,  Dr.  Charles  H.  Ohr;  Councilmen 
J.  B.  H  Campbell,  William  Armbruster,  John  Kolb. 


1864.] 


INCIDENTS   OF    THE    WAK. 


415 


deorgo   Martin  Rizor,  Josiali   Eiiglcr  and  Henry   li. 
Bruce. 

General  Sigel  took  his  departure,  for  active 
service  in  the  field,  and  General  B.  F.  Kelly  was 
again  as.signed  to  the  command  of  the  Depart- 
ment. 

July  1. — The  Cumberland  Bank  of  Allegany  was 
converted  into  the  First  National  Bank  of  (Jumber- 
land,  and  continued  business  with  the  same  officers 
as  heretofore,  President,  Joseph  Shriver;  Cashier, 
Edwin  T.  Shriver. 

At  this  time  about  one  hundred  men  were  drafted 
lor  three  years'  service  to  make  up  the  county's  (piota 
under  the  last  call,  and  170  were  drafted  for  the 
(iiie  hundred  days'  service. 

July  7. — Francis  Gillespie,  of  Co.  B,  Fifteenth 
Regiment  New  York  Cavalry,  while  on  the  cars,  en 
route  from  Parkersburg  to  Cumberland,  deliberately 
iiuu'dered  Lieutenant  William  Shearer.  Gilles[)ie 
was  })rought  here  under  arrest.  On  the  Saturday 
following  he  was  tritsd  before  a  Court  Martial,  con- 
victed,  and  sentenced  to  be  hanged  on  Monday,  on 
which  day  he  was  taken  to  the  gallows,  near  Rose 
Hill  Cemetery,  at  5  o'clock  i'.  m.,  and  executed.  He 
!iscended  the  scaflbld  with  a  firm  stej),  and  at  the 
last  moment  said  :  "l  forgive  everybody  from  the 
bottom  of  my  heart,  and  I  pray  God  to  forgive 
me.  May  the  stars  and  stripes  never  be  tram[)led 
oil."  Gillespie  was  but  24  years  nf  age,  and  left  a 
young  wife,  in  Syracuse,  New  York. 

On  the  31st  of  July,  Cumberland  was  again  panic- 
stricken.      A     soldier  brought    intelligence   of  the 


>v«asaii6?.' 


41G 


HISTORY    OF    CUMBERLAND. 


[18G4. 


passage  of  the  river,  at  PTancock,  by  a  strong  force  of 
(confederates,  whose  destination  was  Cumberland.  It 
was  rumored  that  a  smaller  force  was  also  approacli- 
ing  from  the  direction  of  Bedford.  The  wildest  ex- 
citement prevailed  throughout  the  city,  and  a  public 
meeting  was  held  Sunday  night,  for  the  purpose  of 
organizing  a  militia  force  to  assist  the  soldiers  under 
command  of  General  Kelly.  The  meeting  was  ad- 
dressed by  Mayor  Ohr,  who  urged  the  immediatr 
formation  of  companies  of  citizens,  for  the  defense  of 
the  town.  Three  companies  were  formed,  consisting 
of  about  two  hundred  men,  which  limited  force  was 
placed  under  command  of  General  C.  M.  Thruston. 
On  Monday  morning  it  was  ascertained  that  the 
Confederates  were  still  advancing,  and  in  the  after- 
noon scouts  reported  them  in  the  vicinity  of 
Folck's  Mill,  some  three  miles  from  town.  The 
excitement  now  reached  fever  heat;  the  mer- 
chants loaded  their  goods  and  sent  them  off  to  places 
of  safety ;  the  railroad  companies  moved  their  trains 
off  to  the  West,  and  men  were  rushing  about  the 
streets  arming  themselves  with  muskets,  rifles  and 
shot  guns,  while  thousands  climbed  to  the  hill-tops. 
for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  a  view  of  the  expected 
conflict.  Meantime,  General  Kelly  had  taken  a 
regiment  of  infantry  and  a  section  of  artillery  out  the 
Baltimore  pike,  and  stationed  them  in  sight  of  the 
enemy,  near  Folck's  Mill.  A  little  after  three 
o'clock  he  sent  a  shell  into  the  Confederate  ranks, 
and  they  responded  in  like  manner.  The  infantry 
engaged  in  desultory  firing  with  the  enemy's  sharp- 
shooters, but  the  engagement  did  not  become  general. 


1864.] 


DEFENSE   OF   THE    CITY. 


417 


The  {irtill(M'y  duel  was  kopt  up  until  dark.  The 
enemy  then  moved  oft'  towards  the  South,  and  made 
their  way  to  the  Potomac  at  Greeiisprinjj^  Run. 

General  Tliruston  had  been  posted  with  his  com- 
mand on  Williams  Road,  on  the  right  Hank  of  General 
Kelly,  which  position  he  maintained  until  the 
departure  of  the  Confederates.  At  Green  Spritig  an 
iron-clad  kx'omotive  and  cars,  with  a  small  piece  of 
artillery,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  as  also 
some  eighty  men  in  the  block-house.  The  attacking 
force  consisted  of  probably  2,000  mounted  men  and 
!i  battery  of  artiller>',  under  Generals  Ransom  and 
MoCausland.  On  Tuesday  they  sent  in  a  demand  for 
the  surrender  of  tlie  city.  General  Kelly  declined 
to  accede  to  this,  and  immediately  posted  his  men  to 
give  battle.  The  demand,  however,  proved  only  to 
ije  a  ruse  adopted  to  prevent  any  movement  on  the 
part  of  the  Union  troops  which  might  interfere  with 
the  rccrossing  of  the  river  by  the  (Jonfederates. 

The  citizens'  organization  which  went  out  to  meet 
the  enemy  on  this  occasion,  in  defense  of  the  town, 
was  composed  as  follows  : 


Commander — Gfii.  C,  M.  Thrustoti. 
Quurleriiiuster — Williiim    Wickard. 


Wi-t. 


CommissHry  Sergeant — .losiah 


Compiin\'  A — Cstptnin,  Siinuiel  liumaii;  First  Lientonanf.  Samuel  J, 
Hilwiirds;  St'oond  Ijicuteniviit.  James  .f.  Watkins;  Orderly  Serjeant,  E. 
A.  Linjio. 

I'riv.itos — .1.  M.  Kpartiov.  P.  W.  Mohlit/.eil,  Ooorife  W.  Tlohlif/.ell, 
•Inhii  W.  Hummelshime,  William  Wolf,  Roijcrt  W.  McMiehacI,  William 
lii-iii,  Morris  Siblev,  .loliti  Ilt-ck.  .lohn  Ohr,  Charles  Shaw,  D.mitd  Web- 
"itr,  WiiiHidd  .Ionian,  Walter  Heail.  William  Heid.  of  Geo.,  William 
Bmi^'lc,  W.  W.  Heall,  Jiicol)  Suter,  Wm.  Anderson,  Thomas  Ilei  1,  Sum 
^ii-rficld  Speeiman.  S.  V'almiine  (ctdor  bearer).  Win.  Shepherd,  (Miauncey 
MiCiiiluh,  Ijona  Ward,  .lohn  T.  Mahaney,  Charles  Kizer  (drummer), 
AlniizoSmenner,  Thomas  Hays,  Thomas  Wickard,  James  Kii  I,  James 
^^iiiifiird.  John  Madore,  Amor  Keller,  John  Laney,  Frank  Finnegan, 
''liHili-s  H.  Madore,  Wui.  Trieber. 
53 


418 


IllSTOKV    (»K    ClJMMKUI.AM*. 


[18()4. 


Company  \i — Cupluiii,  J..I.Craif?i'ii;  Kir«t  Liculanunt,  Joshua  Steinur; 
Suc'ond  Liciiteimn*  (!.  K.  Sliryer.  First  Serf^eant,  Henry  Shriver;  Sf»- 
oml  StT'jcaiit,  Uobfii  Slirivor;  Tl)ir(l  Sergouiit,  ("liarlea  A.  Scay;  First 
(Jorporal,  (}t'()r{,'e  'I'.  Knorr;  Second  Corporal,  C.  B.  Smith;  Third  Corpo 
ral,  S.  II.  Fundeiiborfj. 

Privates — A.  M.  AduinH,  Saimud  Anderson,  L.  W,  liranl,  Thoums  1) 
Davis,  ,1.  H.  Dokc,  (ieo.  F.  (Icpharl,  ().  ('.  Ciephart,  (leorjre  M.  (Jloss. 
William  Mexl,  (Jeo.  A.  lloH'maii,  F.  M.  .iohnson,  Thomas  .lohnson,  .lohn 
Morris,  M.  Y.  Kiibold,  Oliver  iiice,  John  Seliilliiif.^,  Thomas  Shuck. 
.loRtali  Shuck,  Au^Mistus  Smith,  Amos  Stalliii;^s,  .).  Spcelman,  W.  H, 
Wilkins,  .lohn  P.  Woll,  J.  II.  Younp. 

Company  (' — (':-.",.lain,  I'at.  Morrisey;  First  Lieutenant,  II.  M.  Carle 
ton;  Second  Lieutenant,  John  Wintersline;  Orderly  Ser^^eant,  John  Wefer. 

Privates  —  Henry  IJersi'e,  Johti  Taffiil,  John  Smith,  John  Uois,  .lohn 
Hart,  .lohn  Sheiler,  I'Vederick  .Minke,  .lohn  Baker,  Georjre  /ink,  .lolm 
Himmler,  John  Keo^rc^l,  .John  lihilter,  Ivuhnrod  Hartman,  .lohn  Wilier, 
Thomas  Leow,  Oeor^c"  Mor;^an,  .lames  Shaninj,',  .Foseph  Schilling',  llenr\ 
Willison,  George  Shuck,  .Ir.,  Uenjamin  Haklev,  -lohn  liaker,  KuluirD'l 
Waltz,  William  Smith. 

Aiigii.st  1(S. — A  party  of  burglars  undertook  Ut 
blow  ()p(!ii  a  fire-proof  safe  in  M.  M=  Kearney's  grocery 
store,  corner  ol'  Baltimore  and  (Ventre  streets,  hnl 
baving  used  too  mueb  powder,  tbey  blew  up  the 
building,  and  arouscMJ  tlie  entire  neigbborliood.  Tin- 
damage  was  so  great  as  to  recpiii'e  tlie  r<'building  ol 
the  bouse. 

September  8, — (Jeneral  Dulfie's  l)rigade,  of  (leneral 
Averill's  division,  arrived  here  and  went  into  camp. 
The  Second  Maryland  Regiment  P.  II.  B.,  retunid 
to  (himberland.  their  term  of  service,  three  year,><. 
having  ex])ired.  and  were  mastered  out.  A  veteran 
battalion  was  then  formed,  four  companies  re-en- 
listing.''' 

September  25. — Taylor  &  Co.'s  iron  foundry,  on 
(Jeorge  street,  was  destroyed  by  Hre,  together  with 
the  machine  shop,  the  railroad  warehouse,  black- 
smith shop,  and  six  dwelling  houses,  involving  a  1o.sh 
of  more  than  .$30,000. 


*Ba«  pai;*  4«8. 


1X64-05.]  INMMDKNTS   i)V   TIIK    WA.i. 


411) 


A  soldier  iiaiiicd  Avorill.  bel()ii<j;iiig'  to  the  Twenty- 
First  New  York  Cavalrv.  was  shot  and  killed  by  a 
.riiiird  on  Mecliaiiii^  street,  near  liedlord. 

September  ^^0. — Joseph  I'revost.  a  soldier,  who  had 
been  eonvieted  oCthe  niunh'r  of  Christian  MiHer,  was 
Imiijied  In  tlie  militiiry  authorities.  He  dechired  his 
innocence  up  to  the  hist  nioinent.  Wlien  the  trap 
fell  witli  Prevost,  the  rope  broke,  and  the  unjbrtiniate 
man  was  precipitated  to  the  ;j;round.  lie  was  taken 
111  to  tile  scafl'old  a^ain.  ;nid  alter  a  new  i'op<'  had 
been  procured,  was  launched  into  eternity. 

Ill  ()ct()l)er.  4  1(»  men  were  drafted,  in  Allegany 
<niuity,  tor  the  United  States  service,  rumberland 
liavinp-  supplied  her  <piota  wjis  not  included  in  the 
Iraft.  These  men.  ho\\e\'er.  were  not  re(piired  to 
report  lor  duty.  • 


November    8.  —  The     contest     ioi- 


Congressman 


resulted  in  the  (dection  oi'  Hon.  P'rancis  Thomas  over 
A.  K,  Syester.  by  a  vote  of  11,1U(»  against  7,985. 
Tlio  vote  in    Alh'gany  was:   Thomas  2,487  ;  Syester, 


State  Senator.  (\  II  Ohr:  Delegates,  Samuel  P. 
Smith.  Henry  Brown.  S.  W.  Wardwcdl.  M.  Slierry 
1111(1  M.  (J.  Dean.  Judge  of  tlie  ('ircuit  (Jourt,  James 
Smith . 

The  call  nnide  by  the  President  for  o()(M)0()  men, 
in  December,  18G4,  induced  tlie  (bounty  Commis- 
sioners of  Allegany,  in  February,  1865,  to  offer  a 
litiunty  of  $200  to  every  man  who  should  enlist  in 
the  United  States  army,  from  the  county.  The  State 
ilso  gave  a  bounty  of  $300.  The  sum  proposed  to 
1«'  raised  by  the  (Jounty  was  |54,200,  for  which   it 


420 


IIISTOUV    OF     CUMUKKLANU. 


[18G5. 


IhsucmI  and  Hold  its  bonds,  the  work  Ix'in^  iKMlormcd 
by  a  board  consisting  of  IIoik'wcU  Ilcbb,  Nelson  C. 
Kead  and  John  11.  Yonng. 

One  of  the  most  startling  events  in  the  liistor\ 
of  tlie  war  oecin'red  here  on  the  night  of  the  21st. 
or  early  morning  of  the  22(1,  of  Febrnary,  when  ii 
small  body  of  Coni'ederates  entered  (Jum'-erland  and 
took  two  Major-Cienerals  from  their  beds,  while  not 
less  than  (*),()()( I  or  8,000  troops  were  encamped  in 
the  city. 

This  daring  invasion  was  made  by  McNctiiiV 
Rangers,  and  was  parti(;ipated  in  by  a  number  of 
('und)erlanders,  who  were  j)erfectly  familiar  with 
every  foot  of  ground  about  the  place.  One  of  the 
leading  spirits  in  the  enter[>rise  was  John  B.  Fay,  who 
perj'ormed  the  duty  of  a  scout.  He,  with  C,  Ritchie 
llallar.  a  young  iMissourian,  crossed  the  Potomac 
near  Urady's  Mills,  and  from  some  actpiaintana's 
obtained  throrough  information  as  to  the  mimber  of 
troo[)s  in  Cumberland,  the  location  of  the  varioiif^ 
headquarters,  pickets,  &<;.  With  this  i'und  of  knowl- 
edge they  returned,  and  reported  the  facts  to 
Lieutenant  McNeill.  Some  sixty-five  men,  a  num- 
ber of  them  belonging  to  various  comj)anics  of 
General  liosser's  command,  under  McNeill  and  Fay. 
at  once  started  for  (Jumberland.  They  again  crossed 
the  river  near  15rady's  Mill,  and  almost  within  hearini: 
of  a  cavalry  picket.  A  portion  of  the  command  went 
to  the  house  of  S.  1).  Brady,  amongst  them  Lieuten- 
ants McNeill  and  Fay,  J.  L.  Vsindiver,  Joseph  Kuy- 
kendall,  John  Cunningham,  James  Daily,  Charles 
Nichollp  and  Isaac  Parsor.s,  where  a  consultation  was 


1805.]       CAl'TUUK  OF  (JENS.  CUUOK  AND  KELLV.  421 


hold.     McNeill  jtropost'd  to  cjipturc  the  picket   and 

ri'turn,  as  ho  was  afraid   it  was  too  hito  to  do    more 

lii'lore  daylight    Kay  and  a  iiia  jority  of  others  opposed 

this,  and    without  delay  the   coirniiand   was  ordered 

forward.      When  the  cavalry   pickets  wen^   reached, 

the  raiders  were   challenged,    hut   hy   a  <|uick   dash 

they   caj)tured   the    pickets  before  a  ^nu   could    be 

Ihvd.     The  c()untersi<:;n,  ''JJuH's  (Jap,"  was  extorted, 

;iii(l  with  this   the  Confederates  had    no  dini(ndty   in 

-('('urinj;'  the  picket  post  which  was  stationed   at   the 

junction    of  the    river  road    and  the  old   j)ike,  just 

below    iSteele's.      Ten    men    were   then     detailed    to 

secure   (Jeneral    Kelly,  and    put   him    in  charj^e    of 

Sergeant  Joseph  Kuykendall;  and  ten  others  to  take 

(leiieral  ('rook,  and  turn  him  over  to  Serjicant. Joseph 

L.  Vandiver.    S^    \<r,^  S.   Lynn   and    (Jharles  Nichols 

were  in  the  first  squad.    Lieutenant  Fay's  duty  was  to 

take  a    number  of  men,  and   destroy   the  telegraph 

linos.     The  party  then   rode   rapidly  along  the  road 

to  Green  street,  down  Green  street  and  then  leisurely 

iicroHS  the  bridge,  and  along  Baltimore  street  to  the 

Biirnum  House,   bandying  words  occasionally   with 

the  guards  on  the  street.     Halting  in   front  of  Bar- 

imni's,  the  headquarters  guard  was  taken  in  custody, 

1111(1  compelled  to   point  out  the   rooms  of  General 

Kelly  and  Adjutant  Thayer  Melvin,   both  of  whom 

were  aroused  from  their  sleep,  and  recjuested  to  dress 

^s  speedily  as  possible.     The  astonished  General  and 

his  aid  quickly   comprehended    the    situation,    and 

submitted.     Meantime,  a   similar  scene   was   being 

enacted  at  the  Revere  House,  where  General  Crook 

wa8  sleeping  in  fancied  security.     Lieutenant  Fay 


422 


HISTOKV  OF    OUMUEKLANU. 


[iHtJo. 


li!ul  iilsodoiu'liis  workjCoiupk'tolydcHtroN  ingtlic  olfico 
oftiR'  iiiilitiirv  tcloj^rapli.  Ki^Mit  of  Gonoml  KoUy's 
l)ost  liorHOH,  iinioiigst  tlieiii  his  thvoriU',  "'Pliillippi," 
were  csii)tur(.'(l,  iind  tlioii  t\u)  ('onfodorates  rodoolVwitli 
tlii'ir  prisoiKTH,  taking  tlu>  tow-path,  and  (M'OMsing 
at  Wiley's  Ford.  Shortly  after  thoir  departure  the 
alarm  was  j^iven,  and  a  company  of  monnted  men 
went  in  pursuit.  The  fuj^itives  were  overtaken  near 
Konmey,  and  a  skirmisli  Ibllowed,  hut  tiie  prisoners 
were  beyond  recapture. 

CJenerals  Hayes,  Lighthurn  and  Duval  were  in  oaiiiii 
in  the  city  at  the  time,  hut  the  Confederates  iniving 
carried  out  their  plans  to  the  very  letter,  did  not 
sto[)  to  hazard  a  further  harvest  of  Genei-als.  This 
event  caused  much  excitement  throughout  the 
country,  and  was  commented  upon  largely  in  ever} 
direction.  The  captured  officers  were  sent  to  Rich- 
mond, and  shortly  afterwards  extdiangiMl. 

Upon  the  surrender  of  General  Lee,  in  A))ril,  it 
became  apparent  that  the  war  was  virtually  ended 
The  Union  men  were  proud  and  hap})\ .  while  the 
friends  of  the  Confederacy  were  corres})ondiiiglv 
de})ressed.  None  of  the  bitterness  betw^een  the  differ- 
ing elements,  however,  seemed  to  be  obliterated.  Tiic 
bloody  contest  was  just  being  terminated,  and  tiiiir 
alone  could  soften  the  memory  of  all  the  acts  and 
words  that  had  disrupted  the  political  and  social  fubrio 
of  the  nation.  When  the  overthrow  of  the  Southern 
armies  became  assured,  meetings  were  held  in  all 
parts  of  the  county,  at  which  resolutions  were  passed 
declaring  that  those  who  had  left  to  take  up  avm^ 
against  the  government  should  not  return  to  reside 


isc.r,.] 


INCIDKNTS    OF    TIIK    WAR.. 


42^ 


iif^'iiin  at  tlieir  old  lioiiu's.  Cnuluiilly,  liowovor,  thin 
spirit  became  moditied,  and  most  of  those  who  liad 
''one  South  returned.  For  sevei'al  years  there  was 
little  or  no  intere,r)urse  between  tlieni  and  the  men 
who  had  remained  true  to  the  Union,  and  not  unfre- 
(|iicntly  vioK'nt  discussions  and  ])ersonal  eollisiouH 
occurred.  The  hi,|)s('  ol'  time,  however,  wore  away 
the  sharp  edges  of  Inite,  until  the  soldiers  of  l)oth 
sides  became  friends  again,  and  neighbors  renewed 
their  triendly  relations. 

At  the  eitv  election,  Mav  Sth,  the  followinji  olHcerH 
were  elected  :  Mayor.  George  Harrison  ;  ( Jonneil- 
iiieii.  Dr.  J.  J.  Bruce,  C.  B.  Smith.  II.  Start/man, 
(leorge  Long,  John  Young  and  John  li.  (.'ruzen. 

Early  in  the  summer  of  1805,  Cumlierland  was 
ilcsignated  a«  one  of  the  posts  at  which  troops  should 
be  mustered  out  of  the  United  States  service,  in  the 
Middle  r)<'i)artm(Mit.  Consequently  a  number  of 
'"oldiers  and  long  wagon  trains  arrived  almost  daily 
during  the  month  of  June.  A  camp  was  established 
by  the  Fifth  United  States  (-avalry  in  a  grove  on  the 
National  lload,  three  miles  west  of  town.  This 
iimi])  was  laid  out  with  great  regularity,  and  the 
iirounds  handsomely  ornamented  with  arches,  bridges, 
&c.,  and  lighted  at  night  by  means  of  large 
lamps.  Almost  as  rapidly  as  they  sirrived  the  troops 
were  mustered  out,  paid  oft'  and  sent  to  their  homes. 
July  1. — The  "Civilian  and  Telegraph"  was  pur- 
chased by  Will  H.  Lowdermilk.  who  became  there- 
after sole  editor. 

August  14. — Hon.    James   Smith,    Judge  of  the 
'.'ircuit  Court,  fell  dead  from  his  horse,  while  riding 


i« 


424 


HISTORY   CF   CUMRERl.ANI),  [1805-75. 


along  the  old  pike,  in  the  vicinity  of  Mr.  Stcelo's  housi". 
His  (loiitli  was  the  result  of  disease  of  the  heart. 

At  the  election  in  Novemher,  Daniel  Duncan  was 
elected  Sherifl,  James  (/liisholm,  Surveyor;  (Commis- 
sioners, RoJjert  McCulloh.  Ashford  Trail,  R.  S.  Djiv- 
ton,  D.  IL  Friend  and  S.  J.  Beach3'. 

Hon.  George  A.  Pearre  received  2.082  votes  for 
Judge  of  the  (Circuit  Court,  and  had  no  opposition. 

Before  the  close  of  the  year  1865,  the  hist  of  the 
troops  departed  from  Ciunberland,  and  in  the  pursuit 
of  peaceful  avocations,  a  spirit  of  inn)rovement  soon 
manifested  itself.  The  merchants  began  to  enlarge, 
remodel  and  beautify  their  places  of  business,  while 
numerous  elegant  private  residences  were  erected. 
On  Baltimore  street,  within  five  years  following  tlie 
declaration  of  peace,  many  old  landmarks  wore 
destroyed,  and  tlie  elegant  buildings  of  Messrs.  S.  T. 
Little,  F.  Minke,  M.  M.  Kearney.  Hopewell  Ilebh. 
the  fine  block  known  as  "Merchants'  Row."  em- 
bracing the  stores  t)f  C.  (J.  Shriver  &  Co.,  John  F. 
Johnson,  C.  F.  Hetzehandothers.  were  erected.  These 
were  followed  by  J.  B.  H.  Campbell's,  A,  M.  L.  Bush's. 
the  Second  National  Bank,  S.  J.  Edwards',  T.  W. 
Shryer's,  the  Reynolds  Block,  &c.  Baltimore  street 
becoming  crowded,  Centre  street  was  invaded,  and 
the  elegant  furniture  rooms  of  K.  H.  Butler  were 
built,  after  which  a  new  building  for  t'ae  Post  Office 
followed,  and  blocks  of  business  houses  by  M.  J 
Smenner  &  Son,  O.  C.  Cephart,  and  John  F.  Buck. 
The  whole  space  from  Baltinujre  street  to  Bedford 
street  was  soon  occupied,  and  this  became  a  bu-j 
part  of  the  town.     The  formation  of  building  iisso- 


.5i5!.-:..JB«SSEM&^'" 


1800-75.] 


IMl'KOVKMKNTS. 


425 


(iiitions    proved   a  great  incentive  to  jioor   men  to 
secure  homes  for  tlieinselves. 

In  1.8(>7  tiie  city  authorities  gave  to  the  Baltimore 
;iii(l  Ohio  Raih'oad  C()mj)any  iO  acres  oi"  huid  in 
South  Cumhcriand,  upon  which  to  erect  rolling  mills, 
tor  which  land  ^1^8.000  of  bonds  were  issued.  The 
construction  of  these  mills  resulted  in  the  employ- 
ment of  nearly  800  men.  in  consequence  of  which 
there  was  a  rapid  increase  of  population,  and  a  great 
ileniand  for  houses.  Real  estate  advanced  in  price 
til  figures  never  before  thought  of  iu  the  town,  and 
hundreds  of  new  d'^ellings  were  erected.  Maryland 
avenue  and  half  a  dozen  other  new  streets  east  oi" 
the  railroad  were  rapidly  built  up,  and  ('umberland 
oiijoyed  a  brief  season  of  gi-eat  prosperity.  The 
iiiilroad  com});iny  erected  and  opened  the  Queen  City 
Hotel,  a  magnificent  establishment,  which  cost  more 
than  $300,000.  Th(>  old  depot  at  the  Baltimore 
street  crossing  was  torn  dov/u,  and  the  station 
removed  to  the  new  hotel. 

The  city  authorities  caught  the  infection,  and  in- 
augurated several  much  needed  improvements.  The 
necessitv  which  hijd  huig  existed  for  a  satisfactorv 
system  of  water  works  was  now  fully  recogni/ed,  and 
ill  1870  a  committee,  consisting  of  Mayor  I-owe. 
W.  A.  Piatt,  F.  M.  Omitt,  and  Georg(>  II.  Myers,  of 
the  City  Couacil ;  James  M.  Schley  and  Asa  Willison, 
'*i  the  Water  Board;  T.  L.  Patterson,  engineer; 
Dr.  S.  P.  Smith,  W.  E.  Weber  and  Will  II.  Lowder- 
iiiilk,  was  sent  by  the  city  to  Dayton.  Ohio,  for  the 
purpose  of  examining  into   the  merits   of  the  II0II3' 

''vstem  of  wat(T  su})ply  and  fire  protection,  in  use  at 
64 


t« 


1  ! 


42() 


HISTOUy    OF     CUMBKRLANf). 


[isi;( 


»-/.). 


tliiit  place.  TIk'  (•oiniiiittco  ivported  ununimouslv 
in  favor  ol'  that  character  oC  water  works,  and  the 
city  at  once  entered  into  a  contract  with  tlie  Messrs. 
Holly  for  the  construction  of  the  necessary  niachiiicrv. 
and  issued  IflOO.OOO  of  bonds  to  meet  the  expenses. 
In  1871  the  works  were  completed,  and  thev  are  still 
in  successful  operation.  A  year  later  a  bridge  was 
built  over  the  Potomair  river  to  connect  the  city  with 
West  Virginiii,  and  shortlv  afterwards  two  bridges 
were  built  over  Will's  Creek.  In  1S74  the  erection 
of  :i  new  City  Hall  was  commenced,  and  it  was  com- 
pleted in  1876. 

The  buildinu  is  of  brick,  having  a  !inissive.  loftv 
and  striking  exterior.  Its  length  on  ('(Mitre  street 
is  12(1  feet:  on  Libei'ty  street  115  feet;  deptli  on 
Frederick  street  104  feet:  on  Ik-dford  street  80  feet: 
height  to  s([u;ire  of  building  i't'l  feet;  to  cresting  7S 
feet;  to  top  of  tower  140  feet. 

The  ground  lloor  is  occupied  as  a  market,  havin;: 
a  superficial  area  of  more  than  10,000  feet. 

Above  the  markei  the  building  is  divided  into  two 
distinct  parts  by  corridor  thirteen  leet  in  width. 
which  also  accommodates  the  stairways.  On  the 
north  side  of  the  corridor  are  the  (\)uncil  Chamber. 
Mayor's  oHice,  Clerk's  oilice.  and  committee  room. 
Tlies.^'  occuj)v  the  second  floor.  TIk'  rooms  are 
handsomely  frescoed. and  the  Council  Chamber,  wliieli 
is  50  by  88  feet,  in  si/e,  is  furnished  with  desks  of 
black  walp.nt.  On  the  third  tloor  are  three  room!', 
us.  by  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows: 
while  the  u[)per  tloor  supi)lies  a  full  suit  of  elegant 
rooms   for   the   Masonic    fraternity,   the  lodge  room 


niJissivi.',  lol'U 
('(Mitro  stivcl 
'ot;   (U'ptli  on 
f*treet  80  feet: 
to  erestin";  "S 


,.   lodj^e  room 


CITY  HALL  AND  ACADEMY  OF  MUSIC. 


vtMtfiw^j;  'aaimmaaais-aiia'aaiaMakMi 


,^ 


■Sfl 


01 


bu 


W(\ 


feo 

the 

■see: 

the 

Tlu 

ing 

is  a 

■surr 

D 

iiien 


18(iO-7r).] 


THK    CITY    11AM. 


427 


being  60  feet  long,  40  Feet  wide,  and    18  leet  high. 

The  south  .side  of  this  edifice,  above  the  market,  is 
devoted  entirely  to  the  purposes  ol'ainusenient,  and  is 
known  as  the  ''Academy  of  Music."  It  is  elegant  in 
ill!  its  ap[)ointments,  and  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
interiors  to  be  found  in  any  phice  oi'  amusement  in 
the  country.  The  ceiling  is  a  work  of  art.  upon 
which  was  expended  the  skill  of  the  best  |)ainters  in 
the  einplov  of  Emmart  &  Quartley,  of  Baltimore. 
The  lower  Hoor  of  the  Academy  is  divided  into  the 
•Orchestra."  and  "Oichestra  (circle,"  and  is  supj)lied 
witii  nearly  oOO  patent  folding  chairs.  The  next 
Hoor  is  the  ''Dress  ('ircle,"  and  above  this  the 
"Balcony."  The  balcoiiies  are  sui)])orted  by  hand- 
some iron  columns,  and  the  fronts  are  of  iron  open 
ornamental  work,  in  soft  colors,  picked  with  gohl, 
and  a  vermilion  background.  The  "Sunlight"  re- 
tlector  in  the  centre  of  the  ceiling  illumines  the  house, 
but  is  supplemented  by  handsome  brackets  on  the 
walls. 

The  dimensions  of  this  room  are:  from  the  door  to 
the  curtain  ()6  feet;  width  62  feet;  to  the  ceiling  43 
tint ;  stage  81  feet  deep  and  30  feet  wide  between 
the  boxes,  the  entire  width  being  62  feet;  the  [)ro- 
sceniii?n  is  27  ftt»t  in  height  to  the  crown  of  the  arch; 
there  are  four  private  boxes,  two  on  eitlier  side. 
The  drop  curtain  is  a  handsome  [)ainting,  represent- 
ing the  "Decline  of  (Jarthage."  On  the  apron  border 
is  a  faithful  portrait  of  Shakespeare,  with  suitable 
surroundings. 

Dressing  rooms,  with  water,  lieat  and  all  conve- 
niences  occupy  a  portion   of  the   space    under  the 


428 


IIISTOHV   (»!'    (UMHKKLANI).  [18G0-7."). 


stage,  jiiid  a  door  leads  dire(;tly  IVoin   the  stage  to  a 
eomfortahle  room  for  the  "stars." 

The  entire  house  is  lieated  l)y  stiMun,  tht;  arraiifrc- 
inents  iK'iug  such  as  to  ;^uarantee  a  coinrortiibk' 
tein{K'ratiire  in  the  most  extreme  weathtM*. 

The  Building  ('onunittee,  under  whose  eare  tliis 
structure  was  erected  and  oom[)leted,  were,  li.  W. 
Floirman,  chairman.;  J.  B.  II.  (Jamphdl,  Jesse  Korns. 
Josiah  II.  (Jordon  and  F.  Haley.  The  arcliitect  was 
Frank  F.  Davis,  of  Baltimore,  and  the  contractor, 
J.  B.  Walton. 

The  Academy  was  opened  Tuesday  night,  March 
7,  1S7(),  under  the  auspices  of  .John  T.  Ford,  when 
his  comi)any  presented  "•The  Big  Bonanza,"  and  a 
heautii'ul  address  was  delivered  by  Frederick  15. 
Warde. 

The  (vountv  CtHnmissioners  beinu'  impressed  with 
the  necessity  of  furnishing  increased  accommodations 
for  the  Courts  and  their  various  ollicers,  in  1872. 
caused  the  old  (vourt  Mouse  to  lx>  entirely  remodeled 
and  enlarged,  at  a  cost  of  about  $50, 000,  and  thercbv 
secured  a  handsome,  commodious  jind  complcti' 
structure,  in  every  way  suital)le  for  the  j)urp()seH  to 
which  it  is  dedicated.  They  also  built  a  new  jail,  in 
the  rear  of  the  (Jourt  House,  the  old  one.  adjoiniiiii 
the  Avademy,  being  afterwards  demolished. 

The  dei)ressing  effects  of  the  fniancial  (crisis  wliicli 
began  in  1878,  were  not  felt  until  a  year  or  two  later, 
in  Cumberland,  but  then  every   branch   of  busine*  ^_ 
was    blighted,    and    nuich    sulfering  followed.     The 
dosing  of  the  rolling  mills  was  particularly  disastroui*.  T" 
Real  estate?  depreciated    in    value    to   an    alarming  * 


"w^jV  liW^M  >3W5"j>.  *J<V  — ^»j-l 


I8(i(')-7G.] 


CITV  OFKK'KHS. 


429 


the  st'.ijiio  to  a 


extent,  and  linndrcds  of  houses  were  un()cen))ie(l; 
bankrupts  ))eeiune  numerous,  and  dozens  ol"  persons 
wilt)  had  ahnost  secured  homes  finally'  h)st  them. 
In  common  with  all  parts  of  the  eountry,  Cumher- 
laiid  was  a  sufVerer. 

in  May,  ISO!),  tlie  ''Transcript,"  a  (hiily  news- 
|)ii|)er,  was  estahlished,  hj  Will  II.  Lowdermilk,  and 
was  puhlished  lor  three  months,  when  it  was 
;ibandoned,  hec^ause  ol"  the  ill  health  of  the  editor. 

in  April,  1871,  the  "Daily  News"  was  estahlished, 
by  Charles,  Kanagin  &  Co.  It  was  afterwards  sold  to 
George  ('harles  and  Henry  J  Johnson;  and  eventu- 
ally they  dissolved  partnership,  the  paper  going  into 
the  sole  possession  of  Ilejiry  .1.  .lohnson. 

In  the  same  year  the  "Daily  Times"  was  estah- 
lished, Llo\(l  \j.  Clary  being  the  editor.  Alter  his 
death,  it  vvjus  continued  by  T.  F.  Mc(yardell  and  J(jhn 
liioyderick,  and   was  linally  discontinued  in  LSTl). 

The  (ollowing  is  a  list  of  the  county  and  city 
itllioials  from  18(»()  to  1870  : 

May  14,  180(). — Mayor,  John  Ilumhird;  Council- 
iiR'ii.  F.  Mertens,  Asa  VVillison.  Fnuicin  Haley, 
Andrew  Gonder,  (leorge  Long  and  Georg  ?  W. 
Hoover. 

Novendjer  G — State  Senator.  Dr.  C.  II.  Ohr  ;  Dide- 
I'lites  to  Legislature,  (>harles  Gilpin,  William  R. 
McCulley,  S.  M.  Ilaller,  D.  (J.  Bruce  and  Geor^re  W. 
McCulloh.  For  (Jomptroller,  Robert  Bruce  received 
2.410  votes,  and  W.  .1.  Leonard  2,292.  For  Congress, 
Francis  Thomas  received  2,;i76  votes,  and  Williain 
P.  Maulsby  2,308. 

The  State  Senate    unseated   Dr.   Ohr,  and    gave 


i:]i) 


HISTORY'    OF    CUMHKULANI).  [18()7~7(). 


his    seat   to    Alfred   Spates.     The    House     unseated 
('hiirle.s  nilj)in,  inid  gave  liis  seat   to  William  Dovco- 

IIIOII. 

Mjiy  13,  I8(>7. — Mayor,  John  Iluinbird;  Cdiiiicil- 
ineii.  A.  J.  ('lark,  Asa  Willisoti,  llemv  (lerdeiriiui. 
Andrew  Clonder,  Win.  O.  Sprig';;,  and  (leorge  VV. 
Hoover. 

November  5. — Cliiel'  Jiidgtf,  Hichard  Alvov: 
Associate  Judges,  Thomas  l*erry,  Wm.  iMotter;  Statf 
Senntor,  Alfred  S})ates ;  Delegates,  (i.  VV.  MeCiilloli. 
Anthony  Kean,  Wm.  Deveemon.  Noidi  Trind)lo,  Iv 
(J.  Ilidl.  Clerk  of  ('ourt,  Horace  liesley ;  Slierid'. 
Hanson  Willison;  State's  Attorney,  (Jharles  15.  Tlniis- 
ton;  Register  of  Wills,  F.lijah  Fuller;  .hKlgcsof 
()r[)lnins'  Court,  John  Coulehan,  Patrick  Ilamill  iiiid 
John  M.  Buchanan.  County  (V)mmissioners,  Wm, 
IJrouning,  John  Farridl,  Wm.  l^arnard.  H.  Shirclill. 
and  Daniel  Frazee.     Surveyor,  W.  M.  Owens 

May  11,  ISfi.S. — Mayor,  John  llund)ird;  Couiicil- 
men,  Frederick  Mertens,  Jas.  H.  Percy,  A.  J.  Clark. 
F.  M.  Offutt,  A.  Willison,  F.  M.  Granilich. 

At  the  election  in  November,  the  vote  in  Alk'g!iii\ 
was,    for    President,   (irant    2,428,    Seymouj'  2.7JI 
For  (Vmgress,  Patrick   TIamill    2,702,  Daniel   Wcistl 
2,421.      Ilamill  was  elected  to  Congress  by  a  majoritv 
of  580. 

Ma3'  V),  18()9.- -Mayor,  Lloyd  Lowe  ;  Counciliiieii. 
J.  B.  Walton,  John  Bauer,  J.  J.  McHern-y,  W.  W 
McKaig,  Jr.,  J.  J.  Bruce,  John  Weible. 

State  Senator,  Alfnid  Spates;  Delegates  to  tin 
Legislature,  John  M.  Standish,  Geo.  Myers,  Tici, 
Pfercy,  Anthony  Kean,  James  Wilson. 


|8(»9-7r).]  CITY  AND  COUNTY  OFKICKHS. 


4:n 


(youiity  CtmimissiomTs,  Israel  Tlionipson,  Williiini 
nrowiiiii*^,  ^licliiU'I  Niiughton,  William  McCull()ii;^li, 
Adiun  (Jarin;i:('r.  ShcrifT.  (K>i)rjj^u  Iia,yina!i.  Siirvevor. 
William  Arnistroiijr. 

May  lo,  1(S70. —  Mayor,  Lloyd  liowo;  (JouiKnlincn. 
.liuiics  H.  Walton,  Fmlcrick  MertciiH.  F.  M.  (Ml'iitt. 
Win.  Piatt,  K.  M.  (Iramlich,  George  11.  Myers. 

The  (.!o)igressi()nal  eleetioii  in  November  resulted 
in  the  succewH  of  John  Ritchie  of  Frederick  county. 
Dciiioerat,  over  John  K.  Smith,  of  ('arroll  <rounty. 
Ilcpuhlican,  In  a  nnijority  of  1,818.  The  vote  stood 
Allegany  county.  Hitehie  15,848;  Smith  1,081); 
Wiisiiington  county.  Iiitchie  ^J.T-jO.  Smith  •),284 ; 
Frederick  county,  Ritchie  4,7ot),  Smith  4,(»(»4;  Car- 
roll county.  Ritchie  2,tM)(t,  Smith  2,-558. 

May  8,  1871. — Mayor.  Win.  Piatt;  (.'ouncilmen. 
John  R.  Widener,  11.  Bloonienour,  James  II.  Percy, 
A. I.  Walt(  n.  S.  P.  Ilarhaugh.  and  Henry  (Jerdeman. 

November  7. — (Jeorge  A.  Peari-e  was  elected 
Associate  Judge  ol  the  Circuit  (>ourt,  by  a  majority 
of  2,015.  D(degates  to  the  Legislature,  Dr.  (!.  K. 
Porter,  Jolin  Coles,  Charles  Young  and  Jasj)er 
Hobinette.  SherifK  R.  L.  CJross.  State's  Attorney. 
William  J.  Read.  Judges  ol'  the  Orphans'  (Jourt. 
William  R.  McCulley.  John  Coulehan,  [li>ton  1). 
Long.  County  (Commissioners,  A.  C.  (Jreene,  Ashfbrd 
Trail.  William  R.  Reall,  S.  L  Townshend,  George 
llcnschlein       Surveyor,  T.  L.  Patterson. 

May  l:i,  1872. — Mayor,  John  B.  Widener;  Council- 
"KMi,  W.  A.  Withers,  Alexander  McFerran,  Francis 
Haley,  Henry  Shuck,  Jesse  Korns  and  C.  F.  Hetzel. 

November  5  — The  election    for  Congressman    in 


432 


IIISTOKV    OF   CUMHKKLAND.  [1872-70. 


the  Sixth  District  roHultt'd  in  the  choico  of  Lloyd 
Lownck'H,  Jr.,  Ropuhlicaii.  of  AIh'<^jiii y  county,  over 
.lolin  Ritchie,  I )eniocr{it,  of  Frederick  county,  by  a 
luivjority  of  1,715.  Tlie  vote  .stood,  Allejianv, 
Lowndes,  3,011;  Ritchie,  2,()4r».  Washiiijitoii. 
Lowndes,  •5,(330;  Ritciiie,  3,385.  Frederick,  Lowndes. 
4,81)2,  Ritchie,  4,091).  Montgomery,  Lowndes,  1,920; 
Ritchie,  2,213. 

In  Jsinuary,  1872,  a  number  of  persons  Hvinj^-  in  tlic 
western  portion  of  Allegany  county  [)resented  to 
the  Legislature  a  petition,  praying  for  a  division  of 
the  county,  and  the  formation  of  a  new  county, 
whii'h  should  comprise  all  of  Allegany  lying  west 
of  a  line  extending  from  the  middle  of  SaviiL'c 
river,  where  it  empties  into  the  Potomac  river, 
north  twenty-six  miles  to  a  point  on  the  top  of 
Savage  Mountain,  wlujre  said  mountain  is  cro.swd 
by  Mason  and  Dixon's  line.  The  Legislature  passed 
an  act  authorizing  the  voters  living  within  the  limits 
of  the  proposed  new  county  to  vote  upon  the  ({uestioii 
of  the  division,  as  also  upon  the  location  of  the  county 
seat.  At  the  regular  election  in  November  the  l)allot 
was  taken.  Oakland,  Grantsville  and  Mcllenrys 
Glades  were  the  competitors  for  the  county  seat. 
The  vote  in  favor  of  the  new  county  was  1,297: 
against  it,  405.  For  the  county  seat  Oakland 
received  653  votes,  Grantsville,  590,  and  McHenryV 
Glades,  450,  In  the  following  year,  the  new  county  of 
Garrett  (so  named  in  honor  of  John  W.  Garrett. 
President  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad  Com- 
pany) was  formed,  and  the  county  seat  was  located 
at  Oakland. 


1873-70.]        CITY    AND   COUNTV    OFFICEKS. 


433 


May  12,  1873.— Mayor,  W.  A.  Witliors ;  Council- 
men,  F.  Haley,  (jeor«5(j  Flurslmtz,  Ilonry  Korns, 
J()S('i)li  II.  Ways.  Aloxander  McForran,  and  George 
Uossworin. 

November  4. — State  Senator,  Thomas  G.  McCul- 
loli :  Delegates,  ( ■.  15.  Waek,  Williai  ^^race,  John 
Weir  and  James  Park.  Clerk  '»'  'm-1  Tlu'odore 
Liimau.  Register  of  Wills,  C.  C.  ftmiver,'''  SherifT, 
Jiimes  C.  Lynn.  ('ounty  (-onnnissioners,  A.  C. 
(Ireene,  Ashford  Trail,  H.  L.  Turner,  William  R. 
IVail  jind  CJeorge  Keusehlein.  Surveyor,  Daniel 
Chisholm. 

A  new  charter  was  adopted  for  the  city,  in  January, 
by  the  Legislature,  whereby  the  city  was  divided 
i 'to  six  wMrds.  and  each  ward  authorized  to  elect 
two  members  of  the  ('ity  C(mn(;il,  one  to  be  elected 
t'iich  alternate  }ear.  At  the  election  held  on  the 
IHth  of  May,  1874,  the  t)(licers  chosen  were  as  fol- 
lows, a  full  board  of  Councihnen  being  elected,  one 
liom  each  ward  to  retire  from  oUice  at  the  expira- 
tion of  one  year  ;  the  others  to  serve  two  years  from 
date  of  election  : 

Mayor,  Wm.  R.  McCulley;  Councihnen — First 
Ward,  Wm.  0.  Sprigg,  (leorge  Rossworm;  Second 
Ward,  M.  Y.  Rabold.  John  Weibel;  Third  Ward,  A. 
M.  L.  Bush,  Archer  Scott;  Fourth  Ward,  Jacob 
Shuck,  James  T.  Hill;  Fifth  Ward,  Wm.  M.  Price, 
Joseph  EI.  Ways;  Sixth  Ward,  II.  D.  Black,  Francis 
Haley. 

On  the  4th  of  December  Mayor  McCulley  died, 
much  regretted  by  the  entire  populace  of  the  city, 

'Mr.  Shriver  died  October  12, 137S,  fcnd  Joba  Rblnd  waa  elected  to  fill  the  vacanor. 

56 


:i- 


484 


iiisTORV  or  cii.MitKULAN'i).       [LsJO-ji; 


und  John  liiiiiibini   wan  elected  to   Mil   the  vjutancy. 

May  17,  1875. — Councilineii — First  Ward,  John 
H.  Fay;  Second  Ward,  M.  Y.  Habold ;  Third  Wiird, 
John  Mart/,;  Fourth  Ward,  James  T.  Hill ;  Fifth 
Ward,  Joseph  II.  Ways;    Sixth    Ward,  Peter  Kelly. 

November  2. — Dele;^ateH  to  the  lA'<i,islatiire,  Wm. 
O.  8pri<5<:^,  George  M.  Ilawlin<^s,  II.  R.  Atkinson,  John 
R.  Brooke.  Countv  Commissioners,  A.  C.  Greene. 
William  R.  Beall.  George  Rensehlein,  A.  15.  Shiuv. 
Ashlord  Trail.  Judges  of  Orphans'  ('ourt,  John 
(.■oulehan,  Robert  Bruce,  (J.  Slack.  Register  of 
Wills.  John  Rhind.'''  Sherifl',  John  (t.  Bauer.  State's 
Attorney,  A.  Hunter  Boyd.     Surveyor,  John  Schaidt. 

May  16,  1870. — Mayor,  W.  A.  Withers;  Council- 
men  :  First  Ward,  A.  Sj)ier ;  Second  Ward,  John 
Weibel ;  Third  Ward,  F.  Foghtnian,  J.  G.  Greenfield;! 
Fourth  Ward,  Jacob  Shuck,  George  W.  Cromwell;! 
Fifth  Ward,  E.  M.  Bynon;  Sixth  Ward,  George  W. 
Morgan. 

November  7.  — The  candidates  for  Congress  were 
William  Walsh,  of  Cumberland,  Democrat,  and 
Louis  E.  McCJonias,  oi"  Ilagerstown,  Republican. 
The  vote  was  as  Ibllovvs  :  (Jarrett  county,  Walsh 
950,  McComas  1,020;  Allegany,  Walsh  3,110,  Mc- 
Comas  8,304  ;  Washington,  Walsh  3,893,  McComiis 
3,986;  Frederick,  Walsh  4,921,  McComas  5,305: 
Montgomery,  Walsh  2,853;  McComas  2,098- j 
Walsh's  total  vote  15,727,  McComas  15,713. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  Postmasters,  at  Cum- 
berland, with  date  of  appointment  in  each  case,  since 


♦Elected  to  till  vacancy  occuMi<'nfd  by  tlie  death  oft".  ('.  Hliriver. 
tTo  serve  unexpired  term  of  <  -eorue  Man/.,  rehitriied. 
tTo  serve  unexpired  term  o(  J.  T.  Hill,  resifjned. 


u  i_  r\ 


kch  case,  since 


ALLEGANY    COUNTY    ACAL'EMV. 


484 


H1ST(^WY   OF    ClJNfBKkLAND. 


n 


*,?■> 


and  .loriri  HuiMbiid  w;u^  elected  to   llll  th« 

May  ITj    l87r).-~(^'our.cilmen- — First  W- 
0.  Fay;  Second  Ward,  M.  Y.  Rabold;  Tiir- 
John    Martz;   Fourth    Ward,  James  T.,  H 
Ward,  Jost^ph  II.  Ways;    Sixth    Ward,  Pel*?*? 

Xovemljer  2. — Delegates  to  tb^   Ijegialat 
(>.  Spring,  George  M.  llawliug-8,  11.  R.  Atkii;!* 
R,  IJrooke.     Conntv  Comraissionert*,   A.  * 

W'lliam  R.  Beal!.  Georpe  Reiischlein,  A.   *'<        » 
AshCon^    Trail.      JudgeM    of  OrplnmH'  Co' 
Goulehan,    U«<k;rt     Bruce,    C.    Slack.    '  E 
Wills,  J<.hn  Iihii)d.='^     Sheriff.  John  G.  Bau* 
Att4>rney,  A.  Himtfisr  Boyti.     Surveyor,  Joh 

Mflv  It?,  i87(l^Mftvw,  W.  A.  Withen< 
auii:  F'wM  Ward,  .•\ ,  .Sj»i' r;  St  cond  ^^' 
Weibel;  'I  nir.)  VV.s.d,  V.  FouiinTiau,  .1.  (i.  ■  > 
Fourth  Warrlj  J"  job  Shuck,  George  W.  <  •  -t- 

i^'ift)]  Ward.  K.  M.  Byn<  n :   Sixth    Ward,  (.-    :  . 
Morii;.!! 

N'  V:  HilH  r   \   -  i\iv  <*andidat*;s  lor   tJoii]L'i'S""<*  h.^ 
V\  ill- tn^      Wji'.idi.    ftf    Ciuiberlahd,    Deui./' r*;.  v* 
L*u     F.    Me(JoniaH,    of     I lagerstowu,    B'*   '' 
t%      ote  was  as  follows:     Gar.^ett    eorr' 
'.  ti    vieOoinaH  i,02();  Aliejamy,   Walj^h  ^    ^ 

Curnas  ':,HOi;   Wasb.ngt.ia.  Walsh  ^,^1?..       ..;■!<- 
M98(>.    Frederick,   Walt*h    l,92J,    McCmy^^H   • 
Montgomery,    Wakh      2.853;      McOou;.*    'iJ^V 
Wal^hVi  total  vote  Fj.727.  M!'*'(»maH  15;Vi  » 

The  tbl lowing  is  a  list  ol  the  PostTnaHJ^ifM,  iit ^" 
heriand.  withdat-e  of  ap]>ointiiieut  in  {-aeh  caiH  .  ■ 


■fe 


W' 


*r:-»««*>.J  ui  fill  vBCknoy    oo»»i"r.«.!i  bv  Uifi  aeaiii  of  r.  v 
ttttjKtvn   luiocplicd  tc  m  of  Hf.^ii((f  vlui!/,  ri!i>iAB<>d. 
T^a*^'      '     aiiiired  term  ol  '.  I.  Hui,ft((i''i,(.)l. 


iS'j^fe'a.WS  gf  rf  4 -■fc-.t- 


,.1^    *   .  -i^MTW. 


"^^ 


COURT      HOUSE 


•4t5»^*, 


,^lf> 


'ittiW 


ALLEGANY    COUNTY    ACADEMY. 


-^itltfjlfr    ♦!".-*Sfcl^,Vj>t; 


s 
■I, 

'.eii 


roST.MASTKUS    AMI    ATT(tKNKYS. 


485 


thr  ostablislniiciit    of   tlie    Post-oflicc   .Tiiniiarv    1st. 

17!)  5: 

Chiirlos  P.  Urondhanf laiuuvry    I.  1795. 

KrfiK^  S.   I'iirmun Inly    1,  IHO'i. 

Siuniif'I  Smith faniiarv  17,  1807. 

Ivlwiird  Wiiitt Dpcemher  21,  181!». 

Siimud  MiijriU , Jaiiimry  18,  1820. 

.himcs  Whilciipad October  li»,  1821. 

.luiiu's  1^.  ('ailfton I)p(,'einl)i'r   11,  1827. 

l>,iiiiol  Wiiicow Febniiiry  Ui,  1841. 

William  i.ynn March    o,  1842. 

Willinin  Lynn,  (olHco  became  Presidential)  March    8,  1844. 

.Jacob  Fecliti>r PVbruary  24,  184(j. 

.las.  V,.  Ma^rniw May    !),  1849. 

Wm.  A.  Taylor lime     1.  iHr^'A. 

Samuel  II.  Taylor AufiustlU,  1858. 

(ieo.  A.  Iloff'maii .March  27,  18G1. 

•lobn  H.  Voiinjr April  11,  18(i5. 

Will  II.  I.owdermilk May  l.'{,  18(;9. 

11.  ,1.  .Johnson March    I.  1878. 

The  ibllowiug  is  a  list  of   Attorneys  iit  Law  ad- 
mitted to  practice  at  tlu  Allegany  County  Bar: 


Names. 

1).  Wci.sel, 
John  McNeill,  .Ir., 
Pimiel  Clarke,  Jr., 
lolin  T.  M'jBurbridge, 
M.  IJrown, 
lohn  Taylor, 
ileorsje  Magruder, 
K,  Giiither, 
S.  Huijhes,  .Jr., 
Iiiliu  Johnson, 
Jnliii  Miller, 
Ro),'er  Perry, 
I.eiinx  Martin, 
^Vilijiiin  ClaKctt, 
Joseph  VVegley, 
It.  Semiuea, 
Samuel  Price, 
\Villiain  SprigK, 
Jai'ol)  Najijle, 
Williiini  G.  IJrowii 
I  •'  L.  .Sample, 
T.  Murdoch, 
I'Mrick  Majfruder, 
i'iliis  I'lm!, 
iThomius  Thistle, 
lii'orge  J'riee, 
llezia  Davitt^c, 
|l!mii>  S.  rigman, 
J'llin  IhuiHon  Thomas, 
!*  Selbv, 


l>ate(it 
Adnii.ssion 


Names. 


I  Samuel  G.  Hartley, 
I  V.  M.  Kandall, 
1  John  Jiavis,  .Jr., 
I  Edward  McDonald,  Jr., 
I  William  W.  McKaig, 
!  William  Thistle, 
Dec.   1791  11  William  Matthews,  Jr., 
James  Wm.  McCulloh, 
Edward  Sh river, 
Dec.    1791  I  Hanson  H.  Pigman, 
Elisha  C.  Wells, 
11.  Wilson,  ,lr,, 
Dec.    1791   I  H.  I?.  Tomlinson. 
A.  W.  McDonald, 
Benjamin  P.  Smith, 
George  A.  Pearre, 
Jervis  Spencer, 
William  Pitts, 
William  Motter, 
George  S(diley, 
Charles  11.  .r.  Pigman, 
i  George  R.  ('.  Price, 
i   William  Perry, 
j   Worthinglon  lioss, 
!  Thomson  Mason, 
'   William  P.  Webster, 
j  George  A.  Tliruston, 
1  John  !•.  Dilley, 
April  1S02  1   W.  Murray  Ilollydny, 
flee.   1791    i   Minor  (libson. 


Date  of 
Admission. 


Oct. 

1834 

April 

1836 

April 

'S47 

April  1839 

ft                l( 

t( 

ti 

Oct. 
« 

1( 

April  1840 

Oct.      " 

April  1841 

il              1* 

Oct. 

It 

1| 
ti 

April  l.<<42 
Oct       " 

436 


HISTORY    OP    CUMBERLAND. 


Names. 


Tal  P.  Hlmffiier, 
Edward  VViirner, 
IJptori  Laurence, 
IL  H.  Oaither, 
John  Lyon,  of  Bedford, 
John  J.  Stull, 
R.C.  Hollvday, 
William  Lawrence, 
Robert  C.  fctone, 
Robert  J.  Hrent, 
Otlio  Shrader, 
Junies  Whair, 
P.  \Vorthingtoi>, 
.losiah  Espy, 
iJeal  Howard, 
Richard  HrookH. 
Cht'ston  Riiit;^otd, 
D.  Raymond, 
Phil  B.  Street, 
James  Dixon  Roinuu, 
Thomas  B.  Pottenger, 
Upton  S.  Reid, 
George  H.  Balch, 
H.  ^L   Brackeuridge, 
James  Carson, 
George  G.  Ross, 
John  M.  Fordiek, 

I>an  Hughes,  Jr., 
Robert  Swann, 

James  M .  Riddle, 

M.  Wallace, 

Moses  Tabb, 

William  Magrncler, 

Brice  W.  Howanl, 

T.  r.  McKaig, 

James  P.  C'arleton,  Fr., 

J.  D.  Yore, 

James  M    Russell, 

John  A.  .1,  Kil)^our, 

Joseph  B.  Fayes, 

J.  hi.  Palmer, 

Simuel  M.  Semmes, 

William  Price, 

Arthur  Shaaff, 

John  Tod, 

David  G.  Yost, 

Zadok  Magruder, 

J.  E.  Barclay, 

William  J.  Ross, 

D.  Forward, 

Thomas  Perry 

C.  Forward, 

Loxley  H.  Thistle, 

J.  McMahon, 

George  Swearingen 

Culh.  Powell,  Jr., 

Jara'>8  Smith, 
W.  J.  Naylor, 
William  Matthews, 
W.  V.  Buskirk, 


Date  of 
Admission 

AprrfT843 

tt  41 


April  ISIM 
Oct.  1803 

April  1805 

Oct,  1801 


Names. 


Oct.  1816 


Oct.    1817 
April  LSI 7 


Oct.  1816 
April  1818 


Frederick  A.  Schley, 
William  Schley, 
.1.  Dixan, 
.John  ('.  Graff', 
.lohn  M .  Br'Wer, 
.M.  Tophitm  1  Ivans, 
I  harles  ('.  McCulloh, 
E.  t".  (luest, 
.1.   P.  Romiin, 
.lames  H.  Bevans, 
.J.  H.  Gordon, 
J.  Miirshsill. 
N.  t'arroll  Mason, 
J.  H    ClayMudd, 
VV.  G.  Van  Lear, 
Charles  B,  Tliruston, 
Cieorge  H.  Hickman, 
.-\inelins  Steele, 
L.  M,  Barclay, 
.■\ndrew  VV.  Kercheval, 
Thomas  C.  (ireen, 
Thomas   Devecmou, 
Cliiirles  F.  Mhyer, 

Andrew  Slerell  RiW\'ely, 
(}.  15.  M.  Price, 

Henry  \V.  Hoffman, 
Jacob  Brown, 

.\loii/.()  Berry, 

Aza  Heall, 

J.  M.Schley, 

.Andrew  E.  Kennedy, 

William  liaird, 

Joseph  \.  Chaplin, 

Thomas  A.  Hopkins, 

William  Kilgore, 

.io^eph  Sprigg, 

Hopewell  Hel)b, 

(Jeorge  Hebb, 

F.  S.  Hobliizell, 

Daniel  hi.icher, 

Henry  Price, 

Michucl   Unibaugh, 

John  A.Dilte, 

Joseph  A.  Wick&s, 

Richard  IL  Alvey, 

.lohn  McCarty, 

Theodore  Brace, 

Churles  B.  Pearre 

Samuel  Smith, 

Wm.  McClay  Hall, 

S.  W.  Downey 

Jairus  W   Robinette, 

.lohn  L.  Thomas, 

William  Walsh, 

Heniy  Bruce, 

William  Johns  Read, 

William  Devecmou, 

Peter  Devecmou. 

J,  Fraik  Seiss, 

Joseph  A.  Obhill, 


Date  of 
AdmisHioD. 

April  'm 
Oct.  1S:'7 


April  \m 


184-1 

Oct.   1844 

II       II 

April  1845 

Oct.   1X4.-) 

April  lS4t) 

April  184(: 

April  1847 

April  1847 

Julv  1847 

Oct.  1847 

Oct    1847 

April  1M8 

April  1848 

May  1848 

May  1848 

Nov.  1848 

Nov.  1848 

April  1849 

Oct.  18n0 


Oct.  1851 

April  1854 

Oct.  185) 

Nov.  18J<) 

Oct.  185:1 


1852 

April  1852 

June 

iS52 

Jau 

\m 

il 

1854 

tl 

1855 

Ap-i 

1855 

May 

18.li) 

Feb. 

185;t 

April 

1859 

Oct 

1859 

Apri 

IKiij 

Oct. 

18ii:i 

Oct. 

1855 

Apri 
1* 

11 

1865 

II 

ti 
Jan 

11 

11 

1856 

l( 

11 

18C0 

■.■-■iS'v^lv^^-M.'lV- 


JUDGES. 


437 


Date  of 
AdinisHion. 


h, 


April  '835 
Oct.  1SI!7 


April  1843 


Oct.  1844 

April  1845 

Oi't.  IHli 

April  181t> 

April  1841' 

m, 

April  1H47 

lU, 

April  1847 

Jiilv  1847 

Oct.  1847 

eval, 

Oct    1847 

.\pril  1H8 

»> 

'  April  184S 

i  Miiv  1848 

idKely 

,    May  1848 

Nov.  1848 

U), 

'  Nov.  1848 

April  184'.! 

Oct.  1850 

11       >• 

edy, 

1.       11 

Oct.  18M 

ti. 

April  18.>l 

iii.», 

Oct.  1851 

Nov.  lU 

Is, 


Btte, 


LeiKi 
lou, 


Oct.  1853 


1852 
April  18.^2 
June  i*>5' 
Jau.1853 
"     1854 
"     18.i5 
Ap'il  18''^ 
May  18.^1) 
Feb.  1859 
April  1859 
Oct   1859 
April  IKiS:! 
Oct.  18iK 
Oct.  1855 
April  181)0 
"^1.       1' 


Jan.  1856 
"    18fi0 


Names. 

Uicharii  T.  Seinines. 
J.  J.  McHenry. 
Thonms  I.  McKaig,  Jr., 
William   M.  Price, 
Fenliiiiuid  VVilliains, 
James  L.  Vallaiidi^ham, 
T.  Cook  Hus;hey, 
.\.  ri.  HliU'kistoii, 
I).  .Imnes  Blackiston, 
Maurice  A-  Healey, 
U  ("hew  Jones, 
jyjiiyil  Lowndes,  ,Ir.. 
Clarendon  Tate, 
Uilliani  II.  Caiiill 
Thomas  E   (ionder. 
.laiiies  M.  Heall, 
Robert  W.  McMicbael, 
S.  A.  Oox. 
John  B.  Fav, 
\V.  H.  Resiev, 
\.  H  (jonder, 
Jiitnes  Forsyth  Harrison, 
rharles  Brown, 
A.  Heall  McKaig, 


Date  of 
Admission. 


Jan.  1800 

April  186t) 

Oct.  1866 

Jan. 1807 


Oct.  1867 
Jan.  1868 


April  1868 
June  1868 
Oct.  1868 
Nov.  1868 
Jan.  186<t 
Feb.  18(i!» 

ti  i  i 

Oct.  1869 

Jan. 1870 

April  1870 


Names. 


Date  of 
I  Admission. 


J.  W.  Wolf 
GilmoreS.  Hamill, 

A.  Hunter  Boyd. 
William  Brace,  Jr., 
John  M.Ilead, 

O.scar    O.   Oetzendanner, 

B.  F.  M.  Hurley. 
Wm.  M.  (joldsborough, 
J.  I).  Ludwii;. 
Robert  H    Gordon, 
Dwi)j;ht  McCleave, 
Benjamin  A.  Richmond 
John  S,  Grove, 

John  E.  Semmes, 
.lamem  A    Mcllenry, 
David  W.  Sloun, 
T.  F.  Candler, 
Johns  .Mct'leave, 
Will  S.  Bridendolph. 
Robert  McDonald, 
W.  J.  Raven.scriift, 
H.  C.  Brace, 
James   K.  Ellegood, 
N.  E.  Fuller. 


Jan. 

1871 

Oct 

1871 

Sept 

1871 

Oct. 

1871 

Jan. 

187-2 

April  1872 

.Fan. 

187.3 

April  187:1 

Oct. 

1873 

II 

(1 

Jan 

1874 

It 

April 

1875 

Oct. 

1S75 

Oct. 

1876 

May 

1877 

Oct. 

1877 

July  1878 

il 

H 

tt 

It 

It 

It 

Oct.    1878 


JUDGES  OF  THE  CIRCUIT  COURT. 

For  more  than  seventy  years  the  Bench  in  this  Judicial  District  has  been 
'listingui.^hed  lor  its  pre-eminent  ability,  and  is  to-day,  one  of  the  ablest  in 
ihe  country,  being  conifiosed  of  their  Honors.  R.  H.  Alvey,  Chief  Judge; 
(ieorge  A    Pearre  and  Wm.  Motter,  Associate  .Judges. 

Richar<l  Potts  was  appoiuled  Chief  Justice  of  this  District,  October  15, 
170();  Wm.  Craik,  A-sociaie,  October  20,  1801;  Wm.  Claggett,  January  28, 
1802.  In  1806,  John  Buchanan  was  appointed  Chief  Judge,  upon  the  death 
of  Judge  Potts;  and  Abraham  irihriver  succeeded  Judge  Craik.  Judge  Clag- 
uett  then  died,  and  Roger  iSelson  succeeded  him,  in  May,  1810;  and  upon  his 
de»th,in  1815,  Thomas  Buchanr.n  wa.s  appointed.  In  1843,  Richard  H. 
Marshall  succeeded  Judge  Shriver;  and  in  18-14,  Samuel  M.  'Semme»  was 
appointed  to  succeed  Judge  John  Buchanan,  but  a  succeeding  Senate  of 
opposite  politics  declined  to  confirm  him,  and  in  1845  Robert  N.  Martin  was 
appointed.  In  October,  1847,  Judge  Thomas  B  .chanan  died,  and  Daniel 
Weisel  succeeded  him. 

Under  the  constitution  of  i860  the  office  of  Judge  became  elective,  each 
county  having  but  one  Judge,  and  Thomar:  Perry  was  elected  to  the  Bench 
in  Allegany  in  1851,  serving  until  the  adoption  of  the  constitution  of  1864, 
when  a  new  election  was  held,  and  James  Smith  was  chosen.  Judge  Smitb 
died  suddenly  in  August,  1865,  and  George  A.  Pearre  was  appointed  to  fill 
the  vacancy,  and  elected  to  the  same  position  in  November,  of  thut  year.  In 
1867,  the  constitution  was  again  changed,  and  three  judges  required  for  each 
District;  in  compliance  with  which  Richard  H.  Alvey  was  elected  Chief 
Jud^e;  Wm.  Motter,  and  Thomas  Perry,  Associate'^.  In  1871,  Judge  Perry 
died,  and  Judge  Pearre  was  elected  to  fill  the  yacancy. 


d: 


5?^.  tl     ••  ** .  k- 


THE  CHESAPEAKE  AND  OHIO  OANAL 


From   I  ho  rtimbeilaiid  CivlliaD. 


On  Thiir.sday,  the  J  0th  of  Octi)bei',  1850,  the  open- 
ing of  the  (Jhesa])eake  and  Ohio  Canal,  for  eontinuous 
navigation  from  Cumberland  to  Alexandria,  was 
commemorated  at  this  place  with  appropri.'ite  cere- 
monies. After  undergoing  unparalleled  vicissitudes 
of  fortune^,  this  great  work  has  been  at  length 
consummated.  It  cannot,  therefore,  be  inappropriate 
to  record  with  some  degree  of  detail  the  incidents  of 
a  day  that  ushers  into  existence  a  new  era  in  the 
history  of  Western  Maryland. 

On  the  day  previous,  a  large  number  of  gentlemen 
arrived  in  (Jumberland  to  participate  in  the  approacli- 
ing  ceremonies.  Among  them  we  may  mention 
General  James  M.  Coale.  President;  and  Messrs. 
John  Pickell.  William  Cost  Johnson,  William  A. 
Bradly.  George  Schley,  S.  P.  Smith,  Directors  of  the 
(^anal  (Company;  Ex-Goveirnor  Sprigg,  General  Tencli 
Tilghman  and  J.  Vanlear,  Esq.,  state  agents ;  thr 
Hon.  William  D.  Merrick,  late  U.  S.  Senator  from 
Maryland  ;  Jolin  L.  Skinner,  Esq.,  editor  of  "  The 
Plough,  the  Loom,  and  the  Anvil ,"  Henry  Adisoii. 
Esq,.  Mayor  ol"  Georgetown  ;  together  with  a  number 
of  g(3ntlemen  from  various  parts  of  Maryland  am! 
Virginia. 

These  gentlemen  came  by  the  invitation  of  the 
(Janal  Company,  and  were  properly  received  ami 
entertained  by  them. 


CIIKSAI'EAKK  AND  OHIO  CANAL. 


4?.!) 


lANAL 

0,  the  open- 
r  continuous 
an<1ria,  was 
(ipriiit(;  core- 
vioissitudos 
,1    at    lengtli 
nappropriatc 
?  incidents  ol 
v^   era  in  tin- 

of  gentlemen 
the  approach- 
nay    mention 

and    Messrs. 

William  A 

rectors  ol'  tlu' 

'.(iieral  Tc'icli 

agents;  tk 
Senator  IVoivi 
iov  of  "The 
lenrv  Adison. 
nth  a  number  ^ 
laryland   am' 

litation  of  tlic 
received  awl 


Along  with  Colonel  John  Pickell,  and  under  his 
direction,  came  the  splendid  hand  of  the  Independent 
Blues  of  Baltimore,  who,  soon  after  their  arrival,  made 
tlieir  appearance  in  the  portico  of  the  U.  S.  Hotel, 
and  electrified  an  immense  multitude  of  our  citizens 
with  their  unsurpassed  instrumental  performances. 
The  presence  of  this  band  was  a  most  happy  con- 
(•oj)tion. 

Tliursday,  the  day  fixed  for  the  celebration,  dawned 
upon  the  mountains  in  all  the  richness  of  the  early 
autumn,  and  it  was  evident  shortly  after  the  sun  had 
risen  above  the  hills  that  the  inhabitants  of  our  city 
were  preparing  to  do  honor  to  the  new  epoch  in 
their  history.  About  half  past  eight  o'clock  a 
large  assemblage  had  collected  in  the  street  before 
the  United  States  and  Barnum's  Hotels.  In  a 
short  time  the  Eckhart  Artillery,  Captain  Davidson, 
with  a  })atterv  of  two  handsome  pieces,  arrived,  and 
performed  various  military  evolutions  in  a  manner 
that  would  have  done  credit  to  a  veteran  corps. 

At  nine  o'clock  the  procession  was  formed,  the 
Eckhart  Artillery  in  front,  escorted  by  the  band  of 
the  Baltimore  Blues,  the  distinguished  visitors, 
olfieers  of  the  Canal  Company  and  State  agents  fol- 
lowing in  the  rear.  Behind  these  w'ere  the  Mayor 
and  Councfl  of  the  town  of  Cumberland,  and  in  their 
rear  an  immense  number  of  the  citizens  of  Allegany. 
I'scorted  by  the  Mechanics'  Band  of  Cumberland. 
The  procession  marched  through  the  streets  in  the 
ilirection  of  the  canal. locks,  gathering  numbers  as  it 
advanced  to  the  inspiring  strains  of  music,  until, 
when  that  point  was  reached,  there  was  an  immense 


•^.1 


440 


HISTOIiY   OF    CUMBERLAND. 


asaemblago  of  all  ages  and  sexes,  congregated  to  do 
honor  to  so  proud  an  event  in  the  history  oi'  AUegiiny 
county. 

AVhen  everything  had  been  arranged,  five  canal 
boats,  laden  with  the  rich  products  of  the  mines  of 
Allegany,  and  destined  for  Eastern  markets,  wore 
passed  through  the  locks,  amid  the  salvos  of  artillory 
from  the  Eckhart  company,  accompanied  by  the 
brilliant  performances  of  the  bands. 

William  Price,  Escp,  then  ascended  the  deck 
of  one  of  the  boats  and  delivered  the  followinir 
address : 

"  I  bave  been  requested  by  the  Mayor  and  Council,  on  behalf  of  the 
people  of  CHniberliuid,  to  welcome  to  their  city,  the  President  and 
Directors  of  the  ('hesiipeake  and  Ohio  Caniil  Compiiny.  the  iii,'ent.s  of  tin- 
State,  and  the  distinguished  vi.'fitors  who  have  honored  us  on  this  oecii- 
sion  with  their  presence,  (lentlenien,  I  bid  you  nil  a  hearty  and  a  conliai 
welcome,  and  confjratulutc  you  upon  the  event  we  are  assembled  to 
celebrate. 

Many  of  us  were  youna;  when  this  jrreat  work  was  commenced,  ami 
we  have  lived  to  see  its  completion,  only  because  Providence  has  pro 
lonjred  our  lives  until  our  heads  are  jrrey.  l)urinjr  this  interval  of  four 
and  twenty  years,  we  have  looked  witii  eager  an.xiety  to  the  proirress  of 
the  work  up  the  valley  of  the  Potomac.  That  proj^ress  has  been  slow- 
often  interrupted  and  full  of  vicissitudes.  At  times  the  spectacle  of 
thousands  of  busy  workmen  has  animated  the  line  of  the  work,  when,  to 
all  human  calculation,  no  cause  was  likely  to  intervene  to  prevent  its 
early  completion,  iiut  when  we  have  turned  to  look  at  the  scene  again. 
it  was  all  chanjied  ;  contractors  and  laborers  had  departed  and  the  still 
ness  of  desolation  reifjned  in  their  place.  Thousands  have  lieen  ruined 
by  their  connection  with  the  work,  and  but  few  in  this  region  have  had 
cause  to  bless  it. 

It  was  natural,  perhaps,  that  things  should  be  precisely  as  they  have 
been,  both  with  the  enterprise  itself,  and  with  the  individuals  whose 
fortunes  have  been  connected  with  it.  The  uncommon  majrnitude,  and 
the  uncommon  finish  of  the  work,  may  be  regarded  as  cause  sufficient 
for  all  the  alterations  and  disappointments  attending  its  history.  The 
reasonings  of  men,  from  their  experience  upon  works  )f  different  dimcn 
sions  and  character,  might  have  been  expected  to  lead  to  disappointment 
when  applied  to  a  work  like  this. 

Go  view  those  magnificent  aqueducts,  lockr  and  culverts,  of  hewn 
stone — those  huge  embankments,  on  which  you  may  journey  for  dayj 
down  the  river;  go  view  the  great  tunnef  passing  three  fifths  of  a  mile 
through  rocks,  and  arched  with  brick,  its  eastern  portal  opening  upon  a 
thorough-cut  almost  equal  in  magnitude  to  the  tu.inel  its-^lf.  Look  at 
the  vessels  lying  ia  that  basin,  ready  to  commence  the  work  of  transpor 


rHESAl'KAKK  AND  OHIO  CANAL. 


441 


tation,  and  liirpe  tnoujrli  t(/  naviirnte  tho  Atlantic— look  at  all  thesfi 
thiiifTS,  and  then  think  how  soon  the  fortunes  of  individuals  embarked  in 
the  prosecution  of  auoh  an  enterprise  would  be  swallowed  up,  leaving 
upon  it  but  little  more  impression  than  the  bubbles  which  now  float  upon 
it?  waters.  It  will  not  be  deemed  out  of  place,  if  I  here  e.xpress  the 
hope,  that  tlK>se  whose  losses  hav(>  been  pains  of  the  company,  should 
nnt  ill  the  hour  of  its  prosperity  be  forgotten. 

It  has  l)e<Mi  frreatly  decriei!  and  grently  misunderstood,  but  it  is  a 
magnificent  work,  whatever  may  be  said  to  the  contrary.  Of  its  probable 
revenues,  now  that  it  is  completed.  T  see  no  reason  to  distrust  the  opinions 
heretofore  enteiiained  l)y  its  friends.  And  why  should  it  not  be  as 
rofitfible  as,  from  the  first,  it  was  expected  to  be  ?  Thesanif  great  coal 
ilf))osiis  which  originally  induced  its  projection,  and  which  have  animated 
the  hopes  of  its  friends,  during  all  the  trials  and  vicissitudes  of  its  history 
still  lie  in  these  mountains,  waitinjr  an  avenue  to  market.  Its  quality 
has  in  no  wise  deterioralfd.  and  is  ktiown  to  be  such  as  to  give  it  a 
prefoience  over  every  other  description  of  coal  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic. 
The  capacity  of  the  canal  is  practically  unlimited.  All  the  coal  compa- 
nies have  their  railroads  and  other  mcins  of  shipment  upon  the  canal, 
completed.  With  such  a  staple  and  such  an  avenue  to  market,  what  is 
•o limit  the  emoluments  of  thi!  work?  Coal,  kowever,  is  but  one  item  of 
iis  tnide.  And  when  we  look  to  the  agricultural  products  of  Western 
Marvlaud,  and  of  tlie  contiiruous  portions  of  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania; 
und  after  all  this,  add  to  the  account,  the  ascending  trade,  consisting  of 
the  merchandize  for  the  supply  of  *he  territory  already  indicated,  and  a 
share  of  that  destined  for  the  West,  it  is  no  exaggeration  to  say,  that  the 
work  will  in  due  time  pay  off  its  own  debt  and  leave  the  State  in  possession 
if  a  permanent  fund,  ade(|uate  to  all  her  financial   wants. 

The  people  of  the  .State  must  not  be  disappointed,  if  these  resul  s 
■hould  be  a  little  longer  in  coming  around,  than  they  may  be  willing  to 
mticipate.  A  full  trade  cannot  ?row  up  in  a  day.  To  carry  a  million 
ons  of  coal,  and  there  are  single  companies  here  competent  to  ship  that 
mantity,  will  require  four  hundred  boats,  fifteen  hundred  men  and  boys, 
mid  eighteen  hundred  horses.  It  is  evident  therefore  that  some  time  and 
» treat  deal  of  capital  will  be  required  to  put  the  canal  in  full  operation. 

The  opening  of  yonder  gates  to  let  through  the  first  boat  carrying 
freight  from  Cumberland  to  tide  water,  signalizes  a  happy  epoch  in  the 
financial  condition  of  the  State.  It  is  the  turning  point  in  the  history  of 
ilie  canal,  and  marks  the  precious  moment  of  time,  when  this  great  work 
'.cases  forever  to  be  a  burden  upon  the  tax-payers  of  Maryland,  and 
i!''frins  to  reimburse  those  who  have  so  long  and  so  patiently  borne  the 
charge  of  its  construetion.  Such  an  event  is  cause  of  congratulation  to 
ihe  people  of  the  whole  State. 

Without  detaining  you  longer,  gentlemen,  I  again  bid  you  a  hearty 
'teicome  to  our  city." 

General  James  M.  Coale.  President  of  the  Chesa- 
peake and  Ohio  (Janal  Company,  then  arose  and 
made  the  following  reply  : 

V/.  Mayor,  (jenthnien  of  the  Coui.cil.  and  ritizen.s  of  Cuviberland  : 

We  thank  you  for  (his  cordial  expression  of  your  welcome,  and  for 
tbe  congratulations  which  you  have  offered  to  us  on  '.his  auspicious  occa- 
sion. 

56 


•U2 


JIISTOKV  OF  CUMHKKI-ANI). 


To  the  ofticera  of  the  cornpimy,  who  huvo  loii;,'  toiled  for  the  complc 
lion  of  the  (;iuial  to  Cuniberhiiid,  timl  to  tho  Miiryliind  State  ii;,'('nts  who 
have  so  iihly  mid  f^eiu;roiisly  co-operated  willi  and  HUHtainifd  them  in  their 
arduous  etlbrts,  the  event  we  eoniineiiiorate  is  indeed  full  oCdeep  interesi 
and  gratiliealion  ;  l>ut  it  is  also  a  subject  of  scarcely  less  interest,  and  in 
its  consc(|ueiices  will  prove  of  tar  more  substantial  and  enduring  import- 
anee,  to  you  and  to  your  town.  If  therefore  we  have  congratulations  to 
receive,  w»;  likewise  have  eC'ngrutulations  to  return  to  you. 

(ientlenu'U  : — It  would  not  be  coin|)atible  with  the  brevity  due  to  iin 
occasion  like  this,  for  ine  to  dwcdl  upon  the  origin,  and  the  grand  desifjn 
and  object  of  this  company  ;  nor  to  trace  its  interesting  antecedents  which 
carry  back  the  history  of  its  work  to  a  period  anterior  to  the  formation  ol 
the  Federal  Union,  and  connects  it  with  the  immortal  name  of  the  Father 
of  our  country — nor  need  I  recajiilulate  the  long  succession  of  inisfortiints 
and  disa|)pointiuents,  which,  {■ommeiieirig  s<t()n  after  tin."  organization  of 
th(!  company,  continued  to  track  its  progress,  step  by  st<;[),  down  to  the 
period  in  which  the  measures  were  adopted,  which  have  this  day  been 
crowneil  with  success.  But  it  may  be  proj)er  tor  me  to  mention,  and  1 
will  barely  allude  to  the  fact  that  when  assistance  in  no  other  form  could 
be  obtaineil,  and  .s  a  last  alternative,  the  act  of  the  iOth  of  March,  1H4J, 
was  passed  by  the  Legislature  of  Marylatid,  waiving  the  liens  of  the  Sttitc 
to  a  limited  extent  and  upon  certain  conditions  for  the  purpose  o! 
enabling  the  company  to  finish  the  canal  to  Cumberland  upon  a  pledge 
of  its  unencumbered  revenues,  few  men  were  so  sanguine  as  to  believe 
that  under  the  then  existing  circumstances,  and  in  view  of  ilic 
peculiar  provisioiih  :)f  the  act,  it  coidd  be  made  to  take  effect,  or  if  luaiie 
to  take  effect,  that  it  would  prove  available  and  sulheient  for  the  purpose 
intended. 

We  this  day  present  the  gratifying  evidence  that  these  forebodings 
have  not  been  fidfilled.  The  consummation  so  long  and  so  devoutly 
wished  for,  has  been  attained — the  hope,  so  often  deferred,  and  yet  still  so 
perseveringly  clung  to,  has  been  realized.  The  Chesapeake  and  Ohio 
Canal,  for  all  the  pnrposeH  of  navigation,  isjini»'hed  to  Cumberland! 
It  is  finished,  too,  ui)on  a  mere  pledge  of  its  revenues — without  the 
slightest  additional  expense  to  the  State  of  Maryland — by  a  faithful  torn 
pliance  with  the  provisions  of  the  act  of  the  HUh  of  March,  18  to,  with  all 
their  conditions,  limitations,  and  restrictions,  and  in  little  more  than  h»ll 
the  lime  allowed  by  the  amendment  of  the  charter  adoptcnl  at  the 
preceding  session  of  the  Legislature,  the  act  itself  being  significantly 
silent  on  that  subject. 

In  regard  to  the  losses  which,  from  time  to  time,  have  been  sustained 
by  individuals  engaged  in  the  prosecution  of  the  work,  we  express  our 
sincere  regrets  ;  but  we  must  here;  take  leave  to  say,  that  whatever  may 
have  been  the  case  in  former  years  and  in  former  efforts  to  bring  uboui 
the  completion,  we  have  the  satisfaction  to  know  that  in  carrying  the  aci 
of  1845  into  execution,  and  in  completing  the  canal  to  Cumberland,  under 
and  in  conformity  with  its  provisions,  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canal 
Company  has  entered  into  no  contract,  which,  on  its  part,  has  not 
been  fully  complied  with — incurred  no  debt  which  has  not  been  promptly 
paid  according  to  the  terms  of  agreement — made  no  engagements  whieli 
have  not  been  punctually  and  faithfully  fulfilled. 

Oentlemen — At  the  present  day  the  glory  of  a  people  consists  in 
their  advance  in  civilization,  and  one  of  the  highest  evidences  of  that 
advance,  is  their  great  enterprises  for  developing  their  resources,  and 


niKsAI'KAKK  AND  OHIO  (\\NA1,. 


44:; 


[irmnoting  Uio  pursiiitH  of"  UHoriil  mul  produotive  iii(lu«try.  hi  tliiH 
rcsjipct  Mur3liiiul  now  occupifM  ti  |)rmi(i  ijOHilion  uinotifr  l»pr  sister 
Httttes  of  the  I'liioti,  mid,  in  inoportioii  to  her  populiilioii,  iiiiiy  fiivor 
iilily  comporo  with  any  riiilion  or  pooplf,  upon  tlio  Ihcl'  of  the  enrth. 
Anion;?  lh«  fjrout  workH  whicli  have  hot'ii  tho  ohjeots  of  her  munificent 
liatroniif^o,  notn*  has  iittracicd  her  f'lvor  so  strongly  nor  hecu  so  uni- 
tnrmly  Hustuined  as  tiic  Clu-sapcake  and  Ohio  Canal.  In  thi?  firKl 
instance,  she  eniharkcd  in  lliis  nohle  enterprise  cautiously,  and  not 
until  she  had  received  what  was  deemed  a  sufticient  pledge  or  aHSurunce 
from  the  general  government,  that  it  should  he  regarded  as  a  national 
vurk,  and  that  the  national  trmsury  would  supply  a  fair  proportional 
|iiirl  of  the  amount  that  would  lie  rf(|uired  to  carry  it  forward  and 
tnnipUde  it  to  its  ultimate  destination.  Hut  when  unci!  emharke<l,  so 
liir  as  the  completion  of  the  canal  was  considered  necessary  for  the 
devclopnient  of  her  own  resources,  Maryland  took  no  step  backwards. 
In  IHii'f,  when  the  suhscrifitions  to  the  capital  stoi'k  were  exhausted. 
;inil  the  work  was  only  finished  ftir  a  distance  of  one  hundred  and  seven 
miles,  and  stood  susiiendrd  for  want  of  means,  the  general  government, 
iind  all  the  other  original  parties  to  the  undertaking,  save  Maryland  only, 
ijeciined  to  atfon!  further  assistance,  and,  seemingly,  ahanilone<l  the  com 
pany  to  its  fate.  At  that  time  and  at  such  a  crisis,  this  Stale,  "among  the 
I'liithless  faithful  only  she,"  firmly  fixed  her  gaze  upon  its  completion  to 
iliis  place,  and,  in  sjiite  of  all  dilliculties  and  disappointments,  steadily 
presstid  forward  to  tin  accomplishment  of  her  object.  She  freely  con- 
iributed  her  mean.s  so  long  as  her  credit  would  permit,  and  when  it  failed 
ind  the  company  was  in  the  darkest  midnight  of  its  misfortunes,  hIh- 
liid  what  alone  was  left  her  to  do — waived  her  lions  on  the  revenues 
'if  the  canal,  to  the  extent  and  for  the  purpose  we  have  mentioned; 
and  she  now  has  cause  to  rejoice  in  the  wisdom  of  the  proceeding. 
for  her  object  is  attained. 

Gentlemen- -In  her  liberal  appropriations  to  works  of  internal  ini 
provenients,  the  State  of  Maryland  has  run  up,  what  in  this  country,  and 
among  a  people  unused  to  direct  taxation  lor  the  support  of  government, 
is  regarded  as  a  very  heavy  debt.  But  what  does  it  amount  to?  From 
a  statement  I  have  recently  seen  published,  and  which  1  believe  to  be 
correct,  the  whole  debt  now  chargeable  on  the  treasury  of  Maryland  is 
less  than  ten  millions  of  dollars.  Why,  the  national  debt  of  France  is 
more  than  one  thousand  millions  of  dollars,  and  the  national  debt 
nf  England  is  upwards  of  four  thousand  millions  of  dollars!  And  what 
have  I'^ngland  and  France  now  got  to  show  for  these  immense  debts? 
Little  more  than  the  bloody  pages  of  history  which  record  their  bootless 
victories  and  barren  conquests.  Notwithstanding  the  vast  incidental 
resources  of  these  two  mighty  nations,  neither  the  Frenchman  nor  the 
Englishman  can  look  forward  to  the  day  when  the  debt  of  their  respective 
irovernments  will  be  paid  off",  and  his  jiersoii  and  property  be  relieved 
from  onerous  taxation.  Fach  bears  his  burden  with  resignation  during 
liisown  life,  and  hands  down  the  gloomy  heritage  to  his  children.  The 
debt  of  Maryland  was  contracted  for  no  such  destructive  or  vainglorious 
purposes.  It  resulted  from  the  necessities  of  her  condition  to  enable  her 
to  keep  pace  with  the  progress  of  civilization,  and  grew  out  of  the 
utilitarian  spirit  of  the  age.  Under  the  silent  operation  of  her  present 
financial  and  revenue  svfitem,  the  entire  amount  will  be  discharged  in 
some  twelve  or  fifteen  years.  And,  as  an  offset  to  this  debt,  what  can 
Maryland  now  exhibit?     Why,  several  great  works  of  internal  improve- 


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IISTORV  OK  CIMHEKI-ANIJ. 


ment,  and  among  them  this  magnificent  canal,  which,  with  its  coritinuouH 
line  of  nearly  1 81)  milea  of  deep  navigable  water,  its  costly  a(|ueduct8, 
and  stupendous  tunnel,  will  stand  as  a  proud  and  enduring  monument  of 
her  glory — be  a  source  of  constantly  increasing  prosperity  and  happines,-* 
to  her  people,  and  in  due  season,  after  allowing  some  just  provision  to  be 
made  for  the  meritorious  creditors  of  the  company,  (which  1  hope  will  be 
done,)  pour  into  her  treasury  streams  of  revenue  to  be  divided  among  the 
diflFerent  counties,  and  city  of  Baltimore,  in  conformity  with  the  (I4th 
section  of  the  act  of  March  session,  1811,  chapter  2'.i,  or  be  expended  by 
tho  Legislature  in  the  further  promotion  of  the  arts  of  civilization,  in 
er.tending  and  increasing  the  facilities  of  trade,  and  in  diffusing  the 
blessings  of  education  throughout  every  portion  of  her  limits. 

The  canal  commences  its  operations  under  ilatterin<r  auspices.  The 
circumstances  which  surround  and  attend  the  opening  of  navigation  are  of 
the  inost  favorable  character.  Unlike  other  works,  constructed  with  h 
view  principally  to  the  coal  tr^de,  it  is  not  required  to  await  the 
slow  process  of  preliminary  preparations.  It  is  true  that  more  boats 
ought  to  have  been  built,  but  t'  is  omission  can,  and  we  have  reason 
to  believe,  soon  will  be  repairer. 

The  coal  mines  have  been  opened,  the  laborers  have  been  gathered, 
facilities  of  connection  with  the  canal  basin  have  been  constructed,  and 
the  coal  trade  of  Allegany  is  already  considerably  advanced.  Little 
more  is  necessary,  than  for  it  to  turn  to  its  appropriate  channel— the 
canal — and  go  on  increasing.  Evidence  is  afforded  that  this  will  be  done. 
The  little  fleet  of  boats,  freighted  with  coal,  which  this  morning  clustered 
around  the  inlet  lock  like  mettled  coursers  eager  for  the  tap  of  the  drum, 
and  which  passed  in,  so  soon  as  the  gates  were  opened,  contain  more  tons 
of  coal  than  were  carried  down  by  the  Lehigh  Coil  and  Navigation  com 
pany  during  the  first  year  of  their  operations. 

We  still,  gentlemen,  may  hold  on  to  the  hope,  particularly  in  view  ol 
the  contemplated  improvement  of  the  Ohio,  that  the  general  government 
will  sooner  or  later  redeem  its  early  pledges,  and  furnish  the  necessary 
means  to  carry  on  the  canal,  by  a  continuous  line  of  communication,  to 
the  Ohio  river,  according  to  the  original  plan.  We  may  perhaps  with 
greater  confidence  expect  that  the  State  of  Virginia,  which  has  recently 
exhibited  a  revived  interest  in  the  success  of  this  company,  and  has  Ji 
generously  come  forward  to  its  assistance,  by  guaranteeing  its  bonds  to 
a  limited  amount,  will  contribute  efficient  aid  towards  the  extension  of 
the  work,  by  a  mixed  improvement,  from  this  point  to  the  mouth  of 
Savage  river,  with  a  view  to  the  development  of  her  rich  and  abundant 
coal  fields,  lying  on  the  .southern  aide  of  the  North  Branch.  And,  I  have 
no  doubt,  but  that  the  State  of  Maryland,  will  cause  a  connection  to  be 
formed  with  the  city  of  Baltimore,  either  by  an  extension  of  the  canal 
through  the  District  of  Columbia,  or  by  a  lateral  canal  from  some  more 
northern  point,  in  case  it  .shall  be  hereafter  found  practicable. 

But,  gentlemen,  whatever  may  be  the  future  fate  of  this  great  under 
taking,  and  whether  these  plans  be  carried  out  or  not,  its  advantages,  so 
far  as  your  immediate  and  local  interests  are  concerned,  are  now  secured 
to  you.  The  guarantees  are  before  you.  You  have  them  in  that  solid 
structure  which  stretches  aqross  from  your  town  to  the  Virginia  shore 
and  arrests  and  gathers  together  the  current  of  the  Potomac,  to  become 
tributary  and  subservient  to  your  enterprize — in  tliat  broad,  beautiful 
sheet  of  water  upon  whose  deep  bosom  a  merchantman  may  float— in 
that  commodious  basin  which  reaches  out  from  the  canal  to  multiply  the 


'^'^.        •• 


CHESAl'KAKE  AND  OHIO  CANAL. 


445 


a 


rlicularly  in  view  ol' 
ireneral  government 
Tnish   the  necessary 
■  eomraunicalion.to 
may  perhaps  with 
which  has  recently 
company,  and  tias 
teeing  its  bonds  to 
lis  the  extension  ot 
to   the   moutli  ot 
rich  and  abundant 
ranch.     And,  I  have 
,  a  connection  to  be 
^insion  of  the  canal 
lal  from  some  more 
cticable. 

of  this  great  under 

it,  its  advantages,  so 

ed,  are  now  secured 

e  them  in  that  solid 

Ithe   Virginia  shore 

.'otomac,  to  become 

it   broad,  beautiful 

man   may  tioat— in 

,nal  to  multiply  the 


accommodations  for  business  and  increase  the  general  facilities  of  trade 
—in  that  deep  navigable  communication  which  connects  your  wharves 
with  the  wharves  of  Georgetown  and  Alexandria,  and  upon  whose  placid 
surface  every  man  may,  at  any  hour  of  the  day.  freely  launch  bis  boat, 
iind  by  merely  conforming  to  regulations  established  for  the  general 
ifood,  and  paying  a  small  toll  for  the  use  of  the  improvement,  transport 
the  products  of  your  industry,  and  the  "hoarded  labor  of  your  moun- 
tains," from  your  very  doors,  to  the  tide  water  of  the  Potomac,  from 
whence  they  may  pass,  on  "the  wings  of  wind,'"  to  the  ports  of  the 
uttermost  pMiis  of  the  earth. 

By  the  side  of  these  eminent  advantages  stand  high  responsibilities, 
N'ow  that  these  great  benefits  are  confirmed  to  you,  it  is  your  duty  to  e.'iert 
vourselvca  to  turn  them  to  profitable  account,  as  well  for  those  by  whose 
means  they  have  been  afforded  to  you,  as  for  yourselves  and  your  pos- 
'terity.  You  must  work  up  your  spirit  to  a  full  appreciation  of  the  high 
destiny  that  is  before  you  and  within  your  reach.  By  the  opening  of  the 
navigation  to  Cumberland,  and  the  connecting  facilities  which  exist 
hptween  this  point  and  the  navigable  waters  of  the  Ohio,  a  chain  of 
improvements,  such  as  was  contemplated  by  General  Washington,  in 
1781,  to  attract  and  secure  the  western  trade,  is  thoroughly  consummated. 
But  vast  and  wonderful  cht»nges,  in  every  respect,  have  taken  place 
since  his  day,  and  the  improvements  that  were  considered  sufficient, 
and  would  have  been  all-sufficient,  then,  can  not  be  expected  to  answer, 
fully,  the  contemplated  purpose,  ?to«\  They  will  doubtless,  however, 
king  to  your  town  no  inconsiderable  trade  from  beyond  the  mountains. 
But  the  main  reliance,  both  lor  the  advancement  of  your  own  interests, 
a';d  for  the  .success  ot  the  canal,  must  be  on  the  labor  and  on  the  liberal 
enterprise  of  the  inhabitants,  the  proprietors  of  the  coal  fields,  and  the 
managers  of  the  coal  companies  of  Allegany.  It  will  depend  upon 
tliem,  whether  the  population  and  wealth  of  this  county  shall  be  aug- 
mented in  a  degree  commensurate  with  its  resources.  It  will  depend 
upon  them,  whether  long  lines  of  boats  will  soon  constantly  be  seen 
gliding  down  that  great  highway,  freighted  with  the  rich  treasuren  of 
vour  "Black  Indies"  which,  as  an  element  of  national  wealth,  and  the 
source  and  foundation  of  manufacturing  and  commercial  prosperity,  are 
Car  more  important  and  valuable  than  the  placers  of  Calfornia,  or  than 
mines  of  gold  and  silver. 

Gentlemen — your  State  and  county  pride — your  industry  and  energy 
if  character — your  interests,  present  and  future,  all  combine  to  give 
Msurance,  that  you  will  not  be  wanting  in  the  due  performance,  of  the 
part  that  belongs  to  you,  to  render  your  county  prosperous,  and  this 
jreat  improvement  successful.  The  canal  company,  on  its  part,  will 
cordially  cooperate  in  all  proper  and  just  measures,  for  the  attainment 
of  these  objects. 

These  ceremonies  being  concluded,  the  distiii- 
giiished  visitors,  the  officers  of  the  company,  and  a 
large  number  of  citizens  embarked  on  the  canal 
packet  "Jenny  Lind"  and  the  canal  boat  "C.  B. 
Fisk,"  which  had  been  fitted  up  for  their  reception, 
and   proceeded  down    the    canal,    followed    by    the 


446 


HISTOKV  OF  CUMRKRLANr). 


Eckhart  Light  Artillery,  with  thoir  pieces,  on  another 
boat,  the  coal  boats  "Southampton,"  "Elizabeth," 
"Ohio,"  and  "Delaware" — belonging  to  the  Mer- 
chants' Lino  of  Messrs,  McKaigand  Agnew;  and  the 
"Freeman  Rawdon" — belonging  to  the  Cumberland 
Line  of  Mr.  Ward — bringing  up  the  rear.  The 
passage  down  was  agreeably  enlivened  by  the  music 
of  the  bands  and  the  firing  of  canon. 

Arrived  at  a  large  spring  tt*)!  miles  eaLst  of  Cum- 
berland, the  boats  halted,  and  the  company  havin|i 
disembarked,  in  a  short  tiiuc  retun:"d  on  board  to 
partake  of  an  abundant  collation  prepared  by  the 
committee  of  the  canal  company — Messrs.  8  P 
Smith,  W.  A.  Bradley,  and  John  Pickell — to  which 
zest  was  imparted  by  a  copious  supply  of  the  finest 
and  choicest  wines.  Having  spent  some  time  in 
these  agreeable  divertisements,  the  fleet  of  boats  wrs 
again  put  into  line,  and  started  on  their  return  to 
Cumberland,  the  coal  boats  proceeding  down  the 
canal  towards  their  destined  ports.  The  return  was 
accomplished  by  night-fall,  and  everything  seemed 
to  have  met  the  most  sanguine  expectations  of  those 
who  joined  in  the  festivities. 

Upon  the  return  of  the  company  to  Barn  urn's,  they 
were  entertained  by  the  citizens  of  Cumberland  at  a 
dinner  prepared  by  J.  A.  Hefelfinger,  Esq.,  proprietor 
of  that  establishment.  To  say  that  the  viands  were 
all  choice  and  well  served,  is  to  say  but  little  of  this 
entertainment.  After  the  cloth  was  removed  m 
number  of  toasts  were  drunk,  which,  we  regret  we 
have  not  the  time  to  report.  The  Flon.  Wni.  Cof't 
Johnson,  the  tried  friend  of  the  canal,  and  who.  as 


CHESAI'EAKK  AND  OHIO  CANAL. 


447 


cluinnian  of  the  committee  of  internal  improvements 
of  i\u  House  of  Delegates,  at  December  session,  1844, 
reported  the  act  under  which  it  has  been  completed, 
arose  during  the  course  of  the  evening,  and,  after 
alluding  in  handsome  terms  to  the  recent  courtesies 
extended  to  the  olticers  of  the  canal  company,  by  the 
Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad  (Jompany,  offered  the 
following  sentiment,  which  was  drunk  with  applause: 

"  The  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canal,  and  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
Railroad — The  former  has  liapoily  reached  its  ebony  harvests  amid  the 
coal  fields  of  the  Alleganies;  may  the  latter  journey  vigorously  on  west- 
ward, until  it  rejoices  amidst  the  golden  plains  of  the  far  Californias." 

iit  this  point  the  further  festivities  of  the  table  were 
iirrested  by  the  necessity  of  yielding  the  room  for 
the  opening  of  the  ball,  to  which  the  fair  daughters 
(if  Cumberland  had  been  invited  by  the  gentle- 
men of  the  town  for  the  purpose  of  meeting  their 
distinguished  guests.  In  a  short  time  wine  and 
sentiment  had  yielded  to  the  dominion  of  music  and 
the  dance,  and  it  was  not  until  long  after  the  "wee 
sma'  hours"  that  the  reign  of  beauty  had  given  place 
to  the  quiet  slumbers  of  the  morning.  We  take  this 
occasion  to  say,  the  supper  prepared  by  "  mine  host," 
of  Barnum's,  on  this  occasion,  was  such,  in  all  its 
characteristics  as  to  draw  forth  commendations  from 
every  lip. 

Thus  ended  the  10th  day  of  October  in  Cumber- 
land— a  day  which  will  be  held  ever  memorable  in 
the  recollections  of  the  people  of  this  region,  being 
the  day  on  which  their  much  cherished  project  of 
I'linal  navigation  to  tide-water  was  brought  to  a 
'-'lorious  and  successful  consummation. 


CHURCHES  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


In  procuring  data  upon  which  to  give  even  an 
outline  of  the  history  of  the  various  churches,  the 
work  has  been  iicconipanied  witli  trials  and  difficul- 
ties that  were  unforeseen,  and  certainly  unexpected, 
Avhen  the  task  was  begun.  With  scarcely  an 
(exception,  the  churches  have  kept  no  historic  record, 
and  in  many  instances  we  have  had  to  rely  upon 
letters,  diaries,  and  individual  memories  to  fill  up  the 
gaps  that  occurred  in  the  annals  of  the  churches. 

METHODIST  KPISCOPAL   CHIHCH. 

Without  any  precise  date  to  govern  us  we  are  led 
to  believe  that  Methodism  was  first  introduced  into 
Allegany  county  about  the  year  1782,  and  the  pio- 
neers in  the  work  were  Revs.  Bishop  Asbury,  John 
Haggerty  and  Richard  Owens,  the  latter  a  local 
preacher,  of  Baltimore  county,  Md.,  but  which  of 
them  took  precedence  in  the  work  we  have  no  means 
of  determining.  These  were  succeeded  in  1783  bv 
Revs.  Francis  Paytheres,  and  Benjamin  Roberts;  in 
1784  by  Wilson  Lee  and  Thomas  Jackson;  in  1785 
by  Lemuel  Green,  William  Jessup  and  John  Paiip 
From  the  year  1785  to  1780  Rev.  John  J.  Jacob. 
father  of  Governor  Jacob,  of  West  Virginia,  assisted 
by  Bishop  Asbury,  labored  in  the  work,  and  the 
accessions  to  the  faith  were  large.  In  1786  Rev 
Jacob    was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Enoch   Watson,  who 


METHODIST  EPIRCOPAI,  CHURCH. 


449 


officiated   until   1787,  and  was  Hucceeded  by  Philip 

Bruce,  whose    labors  in    1788  were   blessed   with  a 

.jroat  revival,  by   which  many  were  added   to  the 

cliurch.      From     1788     until     1802-8    the    church 

languished  nnd  sank  into  a  lethargic  state,  until  the 

arrival  of  IJishoj)  Whatcoat,  who  inspired  and  infused 

m\v  life  into  the  faithful  who  remained  true  to  their 

profession.     Something  over  one  hundred  were  added 

to  the  church  in  1808,  through  the  labors  of  Bishop 

Whatcoat,     assisted    by     Rev.    L.    Martin,   a    local 

preacher  of  Montgomery  county,  Md.     The  church 

ivlapsed  again  until  1805,  when  new  life  was  infused 

into  the  societ}'  tlirough  the  efforts  and  preaching  of 

Pii'vs.  James  Ward  and  Louis  K.  Fechtig.     Allegany 

circuit  first  appears  in   the  general  minutes  of  the 

church  in    1804,  at   which   time    there    were    three 

preachers  commissioned  for  the   work,  J   Paynter, 

Joseph  Stone  and  .lames   Read,   with   James  Ward 

lis   Presiding  Elder.     As   earlv  as  1787  there  was 

occasional  preaching  by  Methodist  ministers  in  Cum- 

l)erland,  and  about  that  time  steps  were  taken  to 

liirin  a  society.     The  deed  for  the  lot  upon  which 

the  first  Methodist  church  in  Cumberland  was  erected 

Itears  date  1799.  and  the  church  edifice  was  probably 

erected  in  1800      The  location  was  on  the  west  side 

1)1'  Will's  Creek,  on  the  corner  of  Fayette  and  Kmall- 

wood  streets.     The  building  was  of  an  unpretending 

character,  a  frame  structure,  25  by  85  feet,  one  story 

in  height,  and  was  never  plastered.     The  pulpit  was 

plain  and    of  a  primitive  style,  the  benches  hard, 

narrow  and  without  backs.     Among  the  names  of 

those  identified  with  this  first  house  of  worship  we 
57 


m%i 


450 


IIJSTOIIV  OK  CUMHEKIiAND. 


find  James  Hcndrickson,  Thomas  Leakins,  Adam 
Seigler,  Aquilla  Brown,  (local  preachers)  and  Dick- 
inson Simkins.  The  names  of  Irvin,  Wall,  Flinklc, 
and  Twigf^  also  appear  in  this  connection.  In  1816 
a  new  church  was  determined  upon.  The  preachers 
of  the  circuit  for  that  year  were  Tobias  Reiley  and 
Robert  Cadden,  with  Gerard  Morgan  as  Presiding 
Elder.  In  the  erection  of  the  second  church  Mr. 
Reiley  took  an  active  part,  never  ceasing  his  labors 
until  its  completion.  The  site  selected  was  on  Centre 
street,  north,  where  the  present  handsome  edifice 
stands.  The  house  was  built  of  bricks,  about  30  by  45. 
one  story  and  a  half  high,  with  gallery  in  front  and 
on  either  side.  The  benches  were  an  improvement 
on  the  former  church,  having  a  single  strip  as  a  l)ack 
support.  The  pulpit  was  in  a  large  half-room  recess 
and  placed  the  preacher  far  above  the  heads  of  the 
people.  Among  those  identified  with  the  church 
building  were,  Peter  Shultz,  Jas.  Ilendrickson,  John 
Wright  and  Jonathan  Peterson.  The  quarterly  meet- 
ings of  the  circuit  were  usually  held  in  Cumberland. 
In  1829,  Cumberland  was  made  a  station,  and 
Rev.  Charles  B.  Young  was  appointed  to  the  charge, 
who  was  succeeded  in  1831  by  Rev.  J.  H.  W.  Monroe, 
and  in  1832  by  Rev.  G.  W.  Humphreys;  in  1833  hy 
Rev.  Hezekiah  Best;  in  1834  by  Rev.  Bazil  Barry; 
1835  by  Rev.  P.  D.  Lipscomb,  who  was  succeeded  in 
1837  by  Rev.  S.  C.  Parkinson,  who  was  followed  by 
Rev.  Jas.  Stevens,  who  ministered  to  the  church  until 
1840.  In  1837,  under  the  pastoral  charge  of  Mr. 
Stevens,  the  building  was  enlarged  to  meet  the 
demands  of  the  chuich,  fifteen  feet  being  added  to 


METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CIIURnil. 


451 


the  roar,  and  the  house  altered  to  show  as  a  two 
story  building.  This  building  answered  only  eleven 
years.  In  1848,  under  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Thomas 
B.  Myers,  the  third  church  was  erected,  50  by  80  feet, 
at  a  cost  of  about  $0,000.  The  Baltimore  Conference 
met  in  this  church  in  1851.  Continuing  our  list  of 
the  pastors  who  were  appointed  to  this  station,  we 
find  the  following  in  order  named:  In  1841-2, 
Rev.  E.  E.  Allen;  1843-4,  Rev.  William  Prettyman; 
1845,  Rev.  John  A.  Henning;  184G-7,  Rev.  James 
Sevvell;  1848-0,  Rev.  Thomas  Myers;  1850-1, 
Rev.  John  M.  Jones ;  1852-3,  Rev.  John  Lanahan; 
1854-5,  Rev.  W.  T.  D.  Clemm;  1850,  Rev  Samuel 
Kepler;  1857-8,  Rev.  A.  E.  Gibson;  1859-60,  Rev. 
R.  H.  Crever;  1861-2,  Rev.  Thomas  Barnhart; 
1863-5,  Rev.  S.  W  Sears;  1806-8,  Rev.  Edward 
Kinsey;  1809-71,  Rev.  Asbury  Reiley;  1872-3,  Rev. 
Samuel  V.  Leech;  1874,  Rev.  James  II.  Lightbourne; 
1875  Rev.  G.  G.  Baker. 

In  1871,  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Asbury 
Reiley,  the  third  church  was  taken  down,  and  the 
present  handsome  edifice  commenced.  It  was  not 
completed  and  dedicated  until  the  ministry'  of  Rev. 
Lightbourne,  1874-5.  The  house  stands  to-day  with 
its  towering  spire,  one  of  the  largest  structures  in  the 
city ;  beneath  its  pulpit  rests  all  that  was  mortal  of 
Rev.  Tobias  Reiley,  who  labored  faithfully  for  the 
church  and  endeared  himself  to  her  people.  Rev. 
Baker  was  succeeded^ in  1876-7  by  Rev.  W.  S. 
Edwards,  D.  D.,  who  was  followed  in  this  ministry 
in  1878,  March  1st,  by  Rev.  Joel  Brown,  who  is  at 
this  time  pastor  in  charge. 


452 


IlISTOHY  OF  CUMHEHLANI). 


The  JiMnual  session  ol"  the  Baltimore  Cont'erencc 
was  held  in  the  new  church  in  February,  1878. 
The  numbt'r  of  communicants  in  this  church  is  about 
four  hundred. 


KNOLISH  MITHKHAN  CHURCH. 

The  first  Lutheran  cliurch  in  CuinU'rhind,  Md.. 
was  organized  on  the  1  Ith  day  of  May,  1704.  Tlivw 
were  at  the  time  twelve  men  whose  names  we  find 
enrolled  upon  the  church  book,  as  follows  :  Nicholas 
Leyberger,  John  Rice,  (leorge  Ui/er,  Andrew  Marry, 
(/hristopher  Broteinarkle,  George  Shuck,  ('hristian 
K(dlhoefer,  Frederick  Loch,  Jacob  Valentine,  Jacob 
(lanner,  and  John  Cramer.  The  original  constitution 
upon  which  this  church  was  based  is  written  in 
(Jerman  and  Latin,  the  rules  of  gov<'rninent  JM'inL^ 
simply  and  vigorously  exj)ressed.  The  first  churcJi 
building  was  a  log-bodied  structure,  with  no  preten- 
sions to  architecture,  and  was  located  near  the  site  of 
the  present  imposing  brick  edifice  on  the  northeast 
corner  of  Centre  and  Baltimore  streets.  The  firHt 
pastor  was  Rev.  Frederick  William  Lange,  who  served 
the  congregation  eleven  years,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Rev.  John  George  Butler,  who  accepU^^d  the  pastorate' 
in  1805,  ministering  twelve  years.  Mr.  IJutler  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  C.  F.  Heyer,  who,  even  now.  is 
familiarly  remembered  by  the  title  of  "'Father" 
Heyer.  Father  Heyer  officiated  six  years,  and  was 
followed  in  the  ministry  by  Rev.  Nathan  B.  Little, 
who  remained  in  charge  until  1830,  when  he  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  Henry  Haverstick,  who  ministered 
to  the  congregation  three  years,  and  was  succeeded 


ENflMSH  LUTIIKRAN  CHURCH. 


453 


by  Rev.  John  Kehler,  who  labored  eight  years,  and 
wiiH  followed,  in  1841,  by  Kev.  JeHse  Winecofll'. 

Previous  to  this  time  the  nervices  in  this  church 
were  conducted  in  both  the  EngliHh  and  (Jerman 
languages,  but  a  short  time  before  the  ministry  of 
Rev.  Jesse  Winecoff  (1839)  a  congregation  purely 
(lermaii  Lutheran  was  organized,  who  separated 
t'roin  the  body  of  English  Lutherans.  This  separation 
was  peaceable  and  by  mutual  agreement,  being  solely 
a  mfitter  of  convenience. 

(Continuing  the  history  of  the  English  fjutheran 
clmrch,  we  find  that  Rev.  Winecoff  served  from  1841 
U)  1844,  and  during  his  ministry  the  present  massive 
hriek  edifice  wa.-*  erectt  d,  the  corner  stone  being  laid 
in  1842.  From  1844  to  1840  Rev.  Samuel  D.  Finkle 
olfieiated  as  pastor,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
Joseph  A.  Seiss,  D.  D.,  who  served  over  five  years, 
and  was  succeeded  in  1852  by  Rev.  John  Francis 
Campbell,  who  officiated  until  1856,  having  been  in 
charge  four  and  a  quarter  years.  He  was  followed 
by  Rev.  A.  J.  Weddel,  who  remained  eleven  years 
and  nine  months,  bringing  the  period  down  to  the 
loth  of  May,  1868,  when  Rev.  H.  C.  Holloway  was 
tailed  to  the  pastorate,  and  is  officiating  therein  at 
tliia  date. 

Miscellaneous. —On  the  arrival  of  the  Rev. 
"Father"  Heyer,  in  Cumberland,  he  found  the  church 
almost  destroyed ;  only  a  few  Lutherans  remained, 
and  these  were  scattered  and  discouraged;  but 
"Father"  Heyer  was  an  energetic  man;  he  went 
earnestly  to  work,  and  succeeded  in  gathering  the 
Hcattered  flock  and  re-establishing  church  worship. 


454 


HISTORY  OF  CUMnERLAND. 


After  romalning  here  six  years  he  removed  to  Som- 
erset, Pa.,  from  which  point  he  was  siibsoqueiitly 
commissioned  by  the  General  Synod  of  the  Lutheran 
cinirch  as  missionary  to  India,  Ix'ln^^  tlie  first  ever 
sent  to  that  field  by  the  English  Lutiieran  church  of 
this  country. 

The  following  incident  is  related  in  connection 
with  the  building  of  the  present  English  Lutlioraii 
house  of  worship,  and  the  truth  of  the  story  is  fullv 
substantiated  : 

When  the  present  edifice,  which  stands  at  the  inter- 
section of  Baltimore  and  Centre  streets,  was  contem- 
plated, a  building  committee  was  appointed  by  the 
congregation,  and  when  the  location  was  fully  decided 
upon,  this  committee  was  empowered  to  supervise 
the  erection  of  the  building.  A  majority  of  the 
committee  decided  that  the  house  should  be  of 
certain  proportions  in  length  and  breadth,  while  one 
man  stoutly  contended  that  the  length  they  proposed 
was  not  proportionate  to  the  height  or  breadth,  and 
desired  that  ten  feet  be  added  to  the  proposed  lengtli 
In  this  he  was  overruled ;  the  ground  was  staked  ofl, 
and  the  minority  man  went  away  sorrt)wing.  But 
he  did  not  cease  to  think  upon  the  matter,  and  after 
he  and  his  compeers  had  retired  that  night,  he  arose 
from  his  bed  and  proceeding  to  the  site  of  the  new 
church,  removed  the  stakes,  placing  them  ten  feet 
further  back  upon  a  direct  line.  The  work  of 
digging  for  the  foundation  was  completed,  and  even  a 
large  part  of  the  foundation  wall  was  built,  before  the 
trick  was  discovered,  but  no  one  who  passes  tiio 
church  to-day  can  fail  to  see  the  effect  of  the  taste 


FIHST  I'RESBYTKUIAN  CHURCH. 


455 


unci  force  of  character  manifested  by  this  active 
committeeman. 

Under  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Weddel  considerable 
improvement  was  made  in  the  church  building,  the 
front  being  materially  changed,  and  the  steeple 
erected  within  that  period. 

During  the  war  between  the  States  the  church 
lecture  room,  which  had  fallen  into  disuse,  was 
temporarily  converted  into  a  storehouse  for  army 
supplies,  but  under  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Holloway 
this  room  was  put  in  thorough  repair,  and  fitted  for 
congregational  and  Sunday  school  purposes.  The 
English  Lutheran  church  of  Cumberland  now  num- 
Ix^r.s  about  260  communicants. 

The  Evangelical  Lutheran  Synod,  of  Maryland, 
met  in  its  annual  convention  in  this  church,  for  the 
third  time,  in  October,  1878. 

FIRST  I'KKSBYTERIAN  CHURCH. 

There  was,  perhaps,  a  considerable  Presbyterian 
element  among  the  early  settlers  of  Cumberland,  but 
there  is  no  record  or  tradition  of  a  congregation  of 
this  church  until  within  the  first  decade  of  the 
present  century.  About  the  year  1810  or  '11  Rev. 
Mr.  Porter,  who  was  principal  of  the  old  Allegany 
county  Academy,  which  stood  upon  Jones's  lot,  on 
Fayette  street,  preached  occasionally  as  a  minister 
of  the  Presbyterian  faith,  in  the  log  church  owned 
by  the  Lutherans,  then  located  on  the  corner  of  what 
is  now  known  as  Baltimore  and  Centre  streets.  Rev. 
Mr.  Porter  left  here  during  the  war  with  Great 
Britain,  1812-15. 


456 


HISTOKY   OF    CUMBERLAND. 


The  next  who  succeeded  hiia,  so  far  as  we  aiv 
aWe  to  ascertain,  was  Rev.  Mr.  Hayes,  who  was  also 
princij)al  of  the  Academy,  in  1815,  and  who  had 
tbrinc^rly  been  President  of  the  Carlisle  College,  Pa., 
and  who  removed  to  this  point  on  ac(;ount  of  hi,s 
health,  which  was  very  feeble.  He  remained  in  this 
field  of  labor  only  a  little  moi^  than  a  year,  when  he 
was  called  aw.  y  by  death.  Mr.  Hayes's  successor 
was  Piv.  Robert  Kennedy,  who  also  became  principal 
of  the  Academy,  as  well  as  pastor  to  the  Hock.  His 
pastorate  began  in  the  year  1817,  and  ended  in  the 
spring  of  1825. 

Up  to  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Hayes  the  Presbyterians 
had  worshipped  in  the  Lutheran  church,  oji  alternate 
Sundays  with  that  body;  this  arrangement  was  con- 
tinued during  Mr.  Kennedy's  ministry,  but  in  1817 
an  effort  was  made  by  subscription  to  build  a  church 
in  Cumberland  "for  the  joint  use  of  the  Presbyterian 
and  Episcopalian  churches  of  the  town."  For  this 
purpose  f  2,122  in  monej'  was  subscribed,  besides  the 
donation  of  Thomas  J.  Perry's  "lot  N(..  68.  in  the 
fort,"  theit  valued  at  $100,  on  ..hich  the  present 
Emmanuel  Episcopal  church  stands.  The  li>)t  oi' 
names  of  those  who  subscribed  to  thib  purpose 
embraces  members  of  all  the  Protestant  churches. 
several  Roman  Catholics,  and  one  Israelite.  Among 
those  names  are  the  follovving,  many  of  whose 
descendants  are  now  living  in  our  midst :  William 
McMahon,  Samuel  Thomas,  Henry  McKinley,  Roger 
Perry,  James  Scott  John  Hoye,  David  Lynn. 
Thomas  J.  Perry,  George  Thistle,  Rev.  Robert 
Kennedv,  Thomas  Beall,  John  Haves,  Walter  Sheer. 


FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH. 


^57 


J.  Win.  Hoblitzell,  Samuel  Smith,  Robert  McCleary, 
John  Shryer,  Peter  Lowdermilk,  Hanson  Briscoe,  C. 
Tilghman,  Martin  Rizer,  John  Hoblitzell,  Henry 
Korns,  Elnathan  Russell,  John  McHenry,  William 
Hilleary^  Jacob  Hoffman,  George  Blocher,  Robert 
Swann,  George  McCulloh,  Jacob  Seass,  John  Gep- 
hart,  Valentine  Hoffman,  John  Hoffman,  Geo.  Shuck, 
John  M.  Read,  Henry  W'neow.  and  Wm.  Magruder. 
The  erection  of  this  church  was  begun  in  1817, 
but  owing  to  some  legal  and  financial  troubles  was 
not  completed  until  some  time  after  Mr.  Kennedy 
left  Oumberland.  (Some  account  of  this  church  is 
given  in  the  history  of  the  Episcopalians.)  The 
building  afterwards  pas.5ed  into  the  hands  and  control 
of  the  Episcpalians. 

We  now  lose  the  thread  of  our  narrative,  until  the 
year  1832,  when  the  Domestic  Mission  Board  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  sent  Rev.  Mr.  Raymond  to 
Cumberland.  For  a  while  during  his  labors  the 
church  on  Fort  Hill  was  jointly  used  by  the  Presby- 
terians and  Episcopalians. 

Mr.  Raymond  remained  here  about  two  years,  and 
was  succeeded  in  1834  by  Rev.  S.  H.  McDonald, 
who  was  also  commissioned  by  the  Domestic  Board 
of  Missions.  During  the  ministry  of  Rev.  McDonald, 
December  9,  1837,  the  congregational  organization 
was  perfected.  At  a  meeting  held  for  the  purpose 
of  organization  we  find  that  Rev.  H.  R.  Wilson,  of 
Carlisle  Presbytery,  was  appointed  modarator,  T. 
1.  McKaig  secretary,  and  the  following  were  elected 
and   duly    appointed   trustees   of  the   Presbyterian 

congregation  of  Allegany  county  :     Wm.  McMahon, 

58 


458 


HISTORY   OF   CUMBERLAND, 


James  Moore  of  Geo.,  James  M.  Smith,  John  G. 
Hoffman,  Thomas  I.  McKaig,  Joseph  B.  Hayes,  Alex. 
King,  John  J.  Hoffman,  John  Boward,  John  A. 
Mitchell,  William  Harness,  Jeremiah  Berry,  Jr.,  and 
Charles  Heck. 

It  was  now  resolved  by  the  congregation  to  build 
a  house  of  worship,  and  the  trustees  were  authorized 
to  appoint  a  building  committee,  consisting  of  five 
persons.  The  committee  thus  selected  consisted  of 
the  following  gentlemen  :  J.  J.  Hoffman,  James  M. 
Smith,  John  G.  Hoffman,  Thomas  I.  McKaig  and 
James  Moore.  The  committee  went  actively  to  work. 
and  soon  raised  a  sufficient  amount  of  money  by 
subscription  to  justify  them  in  building  their  house 
of  worship;  a  lot  had  been  bequeathed  the  church  as 
a  location  by  Richard  Beall,  a  wealthy  citizen,  in 
1836.  This  piece  of  ground  was  on  the  west  side  of 
Will's  Creek,  fronting  on  what  is  now  known  as 
Washington  street,  and  is  part  of  the  .'^ame  lot  on 
which  the  present  handsome  Presbyterian  church 
stands.  For  various  reasons  the  committee  did  not 
think  proper  to  build  thereon,  and  the  ground  was 
sold,  and  another  lot  purchased  on  Liberty  strct't, 
north,  where  the  present  German  Reformed  church 
stands.  In  fact  that  identical  building  was  erected  by 
the  Presbyterians  in  1840,  though  only  about  two- 
thirds  the  size  of  the  present  Liberty  street  building. 
Rev.  McDonald  labored  here  until  1843,  when  he 
was  removed  to  another  mission,  and  was  succeeded 
by  Rev.  B.  Wall,  the  same  year,  who  was  installed 
first  pastor  of  the  church,  Mr  Wall  remained  two 
years,  and  was  succeeded,  in  1845,  by  Rev.  John  H. 


FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH. 


459 


Symmes,  who  officiated  as  minister  for  over  seventeen 
years.  Rev.  Symmes  resigned  his  charge  in  1862, 
and  from  the  6th  of  November  of  that  year  until 
early  in  1807  no  congregational  services  were  held 
in  the  building,  which  was  used  a  part  of  the  time  as 
a  hospital  for  Union  soldiers. 

In  March,  1806,  Rev.  James  D.  Fitzgerald  was 
temporarily  called  to  this  ministry,  and  the  services 
were  held  in  the  Baptist  church  edifice,  on  Bedford 
street,  and  worship  was  continued  there  throughout 
the  year.  In  February,  1867,  the  repairs  on  the  old 
church  on  Liberty  street  were  completed,  and  Rev. 
Fitzgerald  was  regularly  called  as  pastor,  in  October, 
18G8. 

In  May,  1871,  a  provisional  sale  of  the  church 
property  on  Liberty  street  was  made  to  the  German 
Reformed  congregation  for  the  sum  of  $5,500,  and  a 
full  transfer  was  made  in  June,  1872.  This  sale  was 
made  with  the  design  of  erecting  a  new  house  of 
worship,  the  trustees  having  purchased  the  Devec- 
mon  lot,  oa  Washington  street,  in  August,  1870. 
The  laying  of  the  corner  stone  of  the  new  church 
took  place  on  the  4th  of  July,  1872,  with  impressive 
ceremonies,  in  which  the  Masonic  lodges  took  an 
important  part. 

Rev.  Fitzgerald  tendered  his  resignation  as  pastor 
in  April,  1873,  and  on  the  14th  of  July,  the  same 
year,  Rev.  E.  B.  Raffensperger  was  unanimously 
elected  to  the  charge.  The  lecture  room  of  the  new 
church  was  completed  and  dedicated  in  August,  1873, 
and  the  entire  church  edifice  was  fitted  for  services 
in  June,  1875. 


460 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


The  church  edifice  is  built  of  white  Narrows  sand 
stone,  and  is  semi-Gothic  in  style;  it  is  eighty-seven 
feet  long  and  forty-five  feet  wide.     Tlie  cost  of  the 
edifice  was  about  $48,000. 

Rev.  RafFensperger  resigned  his  pastorate  on  the 
1st  of  October,  1877,  and  w^as  succeeded  February 
10,  1878,  by  Rev.  J.  E.  Moffatt,  the  present  min- 
ister. The  number  of  communicants  in  this  churcli 
is  235. 

PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH. 

In  the  year  1803,  the  first  steps  were  taken  to 
establish  an  Episcopal  church  in  Cumberland.  On 
the  16th  of  October,  in  that  year,  the  holy  com- 
munion was  administered  to  members  of  thiit 
profession  of  faith,  here,  for  the  first  time.  During 
the  same  year  steps  were  taken  to  effect  the  legal 
organization  of  the  parish,  and  among  the  first  names 
in  the  parish  records  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
churcli  are  those  of  Lynn,  Bruce,  Perry,  Lamar,  Hil- 
leary,  Beall,  Thistle,  Briscoe,  Cresap  and  Burbridge. 
A  provisional  vestry  vt^as  chosen  after  divine  service, 
on  Easter  Monday,  of  the  year  1803,  and  this  vestry 
selected  Mr.  John  Kewley  as  a  delegate  to  the  con- 
vention, and  recommended  him  for  holy  orders.  Mr. 
Kewley  was  ordained  deacon  in  June,  of  that  year, 
and  about  a  year  following  was  ordained  priest.  The 
convention  was  petitioned  to  constitute  Allegany 
county  into  a  parish  with  territorial  bounds,  which 
was  claimed  as  a  right  inherited  by  this  diocese  from 
the  Church  of  England.  The  convention  replied  that 
they  had  no  power  to  set  them  off  as  a  parish,  and 


1',; 


PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH. 


461 


recommended  that  they  organize  under  a  new  act  of 
assembly  as  a  congregation,  without  regard  to  terri- 
torial limits;  this  was  done,  and  on  the  1st  of  August, 
following,  the  same  vestrymen  were  again  elected. 
In  1853,  just  half  a  century  after  the  petition  of  this 
church,  the  convention  set  off  Allegany  county  as 
"Emmanuel  Parish."  The  first  vestry  of  the  parish 
consisted  of  the  following  persons :  Patrick  Murdock, 
Hanson  Briscoe,  David  Lynn,  Upton  Bruce,  Robert 
Tivis,  George  Hebb,  John  B.  Beall,  and  Mr.  Hilleary. 
They  appointed  Rev.  John  Kewley  minister  of  the 
parish,  at  a  salary  of  £100,  Maryland  money, 
equal  to  about  $266.60  United  States  currency. 
Previous  to  his  entrance  upon  the  ministry,  the 
presumption  is,  that  Rev.  Kewley  had  been  acting  as 
lay  reader  in  the  parish.  After  his  ordination  he 
officiated  steadily,  not  only  in  Cumberland,  but  at 
(Iresaptown,  Murley's  Branch,  Oldtown,  and  occa- 
sionally in  Pennsylvania,  and  in  other  counties  of 
this  State,  besides  Allegany.  His  rectorship  ended 
in  1804,  at  which  time  he  removed  from  the  State. 
After  his  withdrawal  the  parish  was  without  a  pastor 
for  more  than  twenty-four  years,  and  had  only  such 
!<ervice  as  was  afforded  by  passing  clergymen,  or 
those  sent  on  special  occasions.  In  1884  Rev. 
Leonard  II.  Johns  became  rector  of  the  parish. 
Up  to  this  time  the  vestry  had  not  owned  a  house  of 
worship.  t 

In  1816,  or  early  in  1817,  a  subscription  was 
opened  to  build  the  brick  church  which  occupied  the 
site  on  Fort  Hill,  upon  which  the  present  beautiful 
structure  stands.     The  joint  efforts  of  Episcopalians 


462 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


and  Presbyterians  succeeded  in  raising  upwards  of 
$2,000,  and  the  work  of  erecting  a  house  of  worship 
for  the  two  sects  was  begun,  but  in  1818,  before  its 
completion,  the  lot  was  sold  to  satisfy  a  judgment, 
and  it  remained  unoccupied  for  religious  purposes, 
and  in  an  unfinished  condition  until  1829,  when, 
during  the  rectorship  of  Rev.  L.  H.  Johns,  "for  a 
considerable  sum,"  Colonel  Lamar  and  Captain  Lynn 
made  a  deed  of  the  propert}'^  to  Emmanuel  Parish. 

Up  to  this  time  the  Episcopalians  had  worshipped 
in  the  old  Lutheran  church,  (elsewhere  noted)  when 
not  occupied  by  other  congregations.  The  church 
now  built  by  the  joint  efforts  of  Episcopalians  and 
Presbyterians  was  consecrated,  and  used  for  the  first 
time  in  1830.  Rev.  Johns  resigned  his  charge  in 
1834,  after  a  ministration  of  nearly  five  years.  The 
church  was  again  without  a  pastor  for  more  than  a 
year,  when  Rev.Thaddeus  M.  Leavenworth  was  called 
to  the  rectorship;  he  remained  one  year;  another 
vacancy  then  occurred,  of  nearly  a  year,  and  Rev. 
Matthias  Harris  succeeded  Rev.  T.  M.  Leavenworth, 
remaining  in  charge  four  and  a  half  years.  In 
October,  1841,  Rev.  Harris  resigned,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  Samuel  Buell,  who  remained  until 
September,  1847,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  brother, 
Rev.  D.  H.  Buell,  during  whose  ministry  the  present 
beautiful  structure  was  reared;  the  cornerstone  being 
laid  in  May,  1849,  and  the  building  consecrated  with 
solemn    services   just   eighteen    months   thereafter. 

This  building  is  of  yellow  sandstone,  of  Gothic 
architecture,  built  in  the  form  of  a  cross;  and  ivy- 
clad  as  it  is,  with  its  symetrical  proportions,  stands 


FIRST  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 


463 


;  upwards  of 
ie  of  worship 
18,  before  its 
■  a  judgment, 
0U8   purposes. 
1829,  when, 
Johns,  "for  a 
Captain  Lynn 
lanuel  Parish, 
ad  worshipped 
e  noted)  when 
The  church 
icopalians  and 
ed  for  the  first 
his   charge  in 
ve  years.     The 
r  more  than  a 
orth  was  called 
year;   another 
ear,  and  Rev. 
.  Leavenworth, 
alf  years,    hi 
and  was  suc- 
•emained  until 
|by  his  brother. 
try  the  present 
Iner  stone  being 
fusecrated  with 
,hs   thereafter, 
ione,  of  Gothic 
toss;  and  ivy- 
lortions,  stands 


upon  Fort  Hill  one  of  the  prettiest  structures  in  the 
country. 

Rev.  D.  H.  Buell  resigned  his  charge  in  June,  1854, 
and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Henry  Edwards,  who 
remained  until  October,  1856,  and  was  followed  by 
Dr.  William  Wiley  Arnett,  who  was  rector  until 
1859,  when  he  was  removed  by  death.  Dr.  William 
Wallace  Spear  succeeded  Dr.  Arnett,  and  remained 
from  July  4,  1859,  to  October,  1861.  Rev.  Orlando 
Perinchief  was  rector  from  May,  1862,  to  February, 
18C4.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  E.  Owen  Simpson, 
who  served  from  July,  1864,  to  July,  1865,  and  was 
followed  by  Rev.  John  B.  Henry,  who  died  here 
February,  1868.  The  church  w.as  without  a  rector, 
from  Februar}^,  1868,  until  the  following  August, 
when  Dr.  Chauncy  Colton  took  charge,  and  served 
until  July,  1872.  Another  vacancy  occurred  in  this 
ministry  until  February,  1873,  when  Dr.  Stephen 
(.'liipman  Thrall  became  rector,  and  is  still  in  charge. 

From  the  reorganization  of  the  Parish,  December, 
1853,  to  1878,  Emmanuel  Episcopal  church  has  had 
but  one  register,  Hopewell  Hebb,  Esq.,  the  present 
incumbent. 

The  present  number  of  communicants  in  this 
church  is  one  hundred  and  fifty.* 

FIRST  BAPTiST  CHURCH. 

The  precise  date  at  which  the  Baptists  made  their 
advent  in  Allegany  county,  like  that  of  the  Method- 

*Tlie  present  generation  will  be  surprised  to  note  the  great  revolution  that  society  has  under- 
soiie  with  ret.'ard  to  lotterica  Binco  the  year  1812,  when  we  cite  the  fact  that  a  lottery  scheme 
Ku  proposed  at  that  date  to  raise  money  wherewith  to  erect  a  church  in  this  place. 

By  an  act  of  the  I.egislature  of  the  State  of  Maryland,  bearing  date  December  17th,  1812.  it  was 
orderwl,  "That  David  Lynn.  \Vm.  McMahon,  Dpton  Bruce.  George  Uebb.  I'atricli  Murdoclt, 
Boger  Perry  and  James  f earight  be  authorized  to  prepare  a  scheme  of  lottery,  and  sell,  and 
ili!<pose  of  tickets  therein,  for  raiding  a  sum  of  money  not  to  exceed  |6,00V,  to  be  appropriated 
to  the  building  of  a  church  in  the  town  of  Cumberland." 


464 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


ists,  is  very  uncertain.  Rev.  John  J.  Jacob,  of  the 
latter  church,  nays  in  a  letter  that  treats  of  early 
Methodism,  that  he  think  the  Baptists  were  here  at 
a  date  earlier  than  1782,  but  that  they  subsequently 
disbanded,  and  had  no  organization  until  a  much 
later  date.  To  use  the  exact  language  of  Rev. 
Jacob :  "Our  Baptist  brethren  were,  I  think,  a 
little  earlier  in  the  work  in  this  section  of  the  country 
than  we  (Methodists)  were.  They  made  some  pnwe- 
lytes,  but  gradually  declined,  and  removed  away; 
so  that  but  few  remain  at  this  day,"  (1831).  Tims 
it  will  be  seen  that  we  have  no  record  of  this  cliurch. 
even  at  a  comparatively  late  period,  although  the 
society  existed  anterior  to  the  year  1782. 

Our  first  reliable  record  of  this  church  as  an 
organization  dates  back  only  as  far  as  1847  or  '48. 
when  seven  or  eight  members  banded  together  and 
met  in  the  hall  above  the  old  Pioneer  engine  house. 
on  North  Centre  street.  The  building  in  which  they 
met  is  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Charles  Keyser. 
as  a  green  grocery.  Rev.  Benjamin  Griffith,  D.  D.. 
now  secretary  of  the  Baptist  Publication  Society  of 
Philadelphia,  was  the  first  missionary  to  this  littk' 
flock,  and  was  also  their  first  pastor.  The  cliurcli 
dedicated  their  present  house  of  worship,  in  Novem- 
ber, 1849.  The  building  is  a  brick  structure,  with  a 
seating  capacity  for  a  number  largely  in  excess  of 
the  present  membership;  has  a  lecture  room,  baptis- 
mal tank,  and  pastor's  study;  it  stands  on  Bedford. 
between  Front  and  Columbia  streets,  and  has  been 
recently  repainted,  aad  put  in  thorough  repair. 
making  it  a  neat  and  comfortable  house  of  worship. 


FIRST  BAPTIST  CIIUUCII. 


465 


The  original  truatcea  of  this  church  were  Rev.  Dr. 
R.  Fuller,  Rev.  F.  Wilson,  Rev.  B.  Griffith,  Joseph 
H.  Tucker,  and  A.  F.  Roberts.  The  building  was 
consecrated  on  Sunday,  November  4,  1849,  at  which 
time  the  sennon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Dr.  Fuller. 

Rev.  Benjamin  Griffith  remained  in  this  charge 
about  three  and  a  half  years.  From  this  time  we 
find  it  impossible  to  give  the  succinct  order  of  the 
pastors,  and  the  duration  of  their  ministry  here. 
Even  the  full  names  are  unattainable.  The  cause 
of  this  was  the  removal  of  the  records  of  the  church 
to  Baltimore,  some  years  ago,  for  historic  purposes, 
since  which  they  have  never  been  recovered. 

The  Rev.  B.  (jriffith  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Price, 
who  remained  a  short  time,  and  he  was  succeeded  by 
Rev.  John  Bray.  Mr.  Bray  was  followed  by  Rev. 
Brown,  who  remained  only  about  six  months.  The 
next  pastor  was  Rev.  J.  B  T.  Patterson,  who  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  T.  P.  Warren,  and  during  the 
ministration  of  iMr.  Warren  it  was  agreed,  in  a  council 
of  the  church,  to  disband  it  as  an  organization. 

In  the  year  1871,  Rev.  H.  J.  Chandler  was  sent  to 
Cumberland  as  a  missionary.  Arriving  here  in 
January,  of  that  year,  he  found  eighteen  members; 
he  subsequently  baptized  five  more,  increasing  the 
aumber  to  twenty-three,  with  which  the  church  was 
re-organized.  Rev.  Chandler  was  installed  pastor  in 
the  same  year,  1871. 

Owing  to  a  defect  in  the  title  to  the  lot  upon  which 

the  present  church  stands,  the  congregation  have  had 

to  pay  twice  for  their  property.     The  communicants 

now   number   seventy,    although    the  church    book 
f^9 


466 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


shows  an  enrollment  of  over  one  hundred  names.  A 
number  of  these  have  moved  away,  and  taken  kftters 
of  admission  to  other  churches.  At  this  time,  Rov. 
H.  J.  Chandler  is  pastor  of  the  churcii. 

It  was  from  this  church  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James 
Landrum  Holmes  were  sent  as  missionaries  to  China. 
where  Mr.  Holmes  was  murdered  during  an  outbreak 
among  the  inhabitants  of  that  country.  Ili.s  widow 
has  near  relatives  in  this  city. 

In  November,  1878,  Rev.  Cliandler  tendered  his 
resignation  as  pastor  of  Bedford  street  Baptist  ciiurcli. 
but  it  was  declined  by  an  overwhelming  vote  of  tlic 
church. 


m 


1 


:'i 


<4g 


ST.  PATRICK'S  ROMAN  CATHOLIC  CHURCH. 

The  early  history  of  this  church  has  not  been 
preserved  with  a  satisfactory  degree  of  accuracy,  and 
there  are  none  now  living  whose  memories  carry 
them  back  to  the  days  of  the  first  missionary  work 
done  in  this  county,  by  the  priests  who  made  frequent 
visits  from  the  lower  counties.  It  is  certain  that 
this  missionary  work  was  dcme  as  early  as  1790,  and 
the  belief  is  general  that  the  first  church  erected 
under  the  care  of  these  priests  was  built  about  1704 
or  1795.  The  oldest  of  our  citizens  in  their  early 
lives  knew  the  building  as  an  old  church,  aim  it  was 
destroyed  in  1850,  to  make  room  for  Carroll  Hall, 
From  the  foundation  of  the  church  here,  it  Wcos 
called  "St.  Mary's  Church,"  but  upon  the  erection  of 
the  new  brick  edifice,  in  Father  Obermyer's  time, 
this  title  was  changed  to  "  St.  Patrick's." 

In  1833  the  church  was  in  charge  of  Rev.  Francis 


ST.  PATRICK  S  ROMAN  CATHOLIC  CHURCH. 


467 


iRev.  Francis 


X.  Marsliall  as  pastor,  who  also  ministered  to  the  spir- 
itual wants  of  the  few  scattered  Catholics  at  Arnold's 
Settlement,  (now  Mt.  Savage)  and  at  Blooming  Rose, 
now  in  Garrett  county.  He  continued  in  the  same 
!nissi(m  until  1837,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
Henry  Myers,  who,  in  18o!),  had  Rev.  B.  S.  Piot  as 
assistant  in  these  missions  until  1840,  when  the 
latter  gentleman  was  transferred  to  Ellicott's  Mills, 
leaving  Rev.  Henry  My «rs  in  sole  charge,  until  1842; 
when  Rev.  Leonard  Obermyer  became  pastor  of  St. 
Mary's,  and  so  continued  until  1853,  at  which  time 
Rev.  John  B.  Byrne  was  appointed  his  assistant,  and 
in  1854  became  the  successor  of  Rev.  L.  Obermyer, 
wiio  was  transferred  to  St.  Vincent's  Church,  Balti- 
more. The  spacious  church  now  known  as  St. 
Patrick's  was  erected  by  the  Rev.  L,  Obermyer,  on 
tlie  site  of  the  former  one,  St.  Mary's. 

After  the  departure  of  Rev.  John  B.  Byrne,  in  the 
year  1854t  the  Rev.  P.  B.  Lenaghan  was  appointed 
pastor  of  St.  Patrick's,  and  was  succeeded  in  1856  by 
Rev.  James  Carney,  who  was,  at  a  later  date,  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  Michael  O'Reilley. 

In  1859,  St.  Patrick's  was  in  charge  of  Rev.  George 
Flaut,  as  pastor,  and  Rev.  Edward  Brennan,  as  assist- 
ant; and  after  thi'  departure  of  Rev.  G.  Flaut,  Rev. 
E.  Brennan  became  pastor,  and  has  so  continued  to 
the  present  time.  Revs.  Edmund  Didier,  Father 
Barry,  James  Carey,  Charles  Damer,  and  F.  S.  Ryan 
became  successively  assistant  pastors  of  St.  Patrick's, 
the  last-named  reverend  gentleman  filling  that  posi- 
tion at  the  present  time. 

In  the  year  1850,  "Carroll  Hall,"  now  used  as  a 


408 


IIISTOUy   OF   CUMUFMH.AND. 


parochial  hcIiooI  Imildinfj;,  was  oroctod,  and  at  that 
time  a  literary  Hcx^icty,  callud  "(Jarroll  rnstitntc," 
waa  oHtahliHlu'd. 

Ill  18G('),  St.  Edward's  Academy,  a  lar<jfc  and  com- 
modicms  brick  structure,  was  built,  and  |)laced  under 
the  government  of  the  Sisters  of  Mercy.  It  is 
devoted  solely  to  the  edmration  oryoun;:;  ladies,  niuiiy 
of  whom,  of  various  Protestant  denominations,  as 
well  as  Catholic,  have  Ixien  educated  within  its  walls. 

In  1875  the  present  handsome  |)aro(diial  resideiuv 
in  rear  of  Carroll  Hall  was  built. 

St.  Patrick's  church  edilice  stands  upon  North 
Centre  street,  and  is  of  the  Ionic  style  of  architir- 
turc,  built  of  brick.  140  I'eet  louf^,  exclusive  of  portico 
and  sacristy,  and  (iO  feet  wide,  with  Jin  interior 
height  from  floor  to  ceiling  of  40  feet.  The  interior 
is  handsomely  frescoed  and  ornament(Hl,  and  has  a 
fine  organ.  The  building  has  a  seating  capacity, 
exclusive  of  the  choir  gallery,  of  about  1,000. 

SS.  PETER  AND  PAUL'S  GERM.VN    CATHOLIC  CIIIIRCII. 

The  earliest  history  we  have  of  the  German 
Catholic  church,  in  this  city,  dates  back  to  the  year 
1847.  There  were  at  that  time  only  a  few  German 
Catholic  families  residing  in  the  city  limits. 

In  the  spring  of  1847,  meetings,  composed  of  tho 
German  Catholic  families,  of  the  city  and  vicinity, 
were  held  in  the  basement  of  St.  Patrick's  Catholic 
church,  which  occupied  the  site  of  the  present  struc- 
ture, on  north  Centre  street.  These  meetings  were 
held  twice  a  month  during  the  summer,  at  which  time 
about  $300  was  raised  by  subscription,  for  the 
purpose  of  erecting  a  house  of  worship. 


SS.  I'KTEK  ANF)  I'AlIl/s  T.KRMAN  fATIlOLIO  OIIUUCH.  409 


111  tlic  mcantiino,  tlic  iikmhIum's  had  Ikm'u  looking 
iroimd  thorn  for  a  suitable  placi'  on  which  to  locat*^ 
llicir  J)uil(ling.  AftorHevoral  sitcH  had  Ix'cn  HUgj^ostcd 
they  finally  dcti'nnincd  upon  the  lot  upon  which  their 
present  iinpoHing  edilico  is  erected. 

During  tlu!  ])revi()us  worship  of  this  people  a  priest 
came  I'roni  Baltimore  every  three  months,  and  olh- 
ciated  at  the  altar. 

While  the  (juestion  of  '.hurch  location  was  yet 
pending,  Father  Neuinan,  afterwards  liishopof  IMiila- 
(Iclphia,  arrived  in  (himherland,  and  approved  the 
site  that  was  fundi  v  selected. 

The  lot  was  purchased  of  King's  heirs,  through 
tlu'ir  agent,  Mr.  iMc(Julloh,  for  the  sum  of  fof)!). 
Some  time  elapsed,  however,  before  a  title  was 
obtained,  i)vving  to  the  fact  that  the  heirs  from  whom 
the  projierty  was  purchased,  were  scattered  in  various 
parts  of  the  country.  Tiiis  delayed  the  building  of 
the  house  until  the  following  spring.  The  deed  was 
linally  executed  in  the  name  of  Samuel  Eccleston, 
Archbishop  of  Baltimore,  and  his  successors,  in  their 
corporate  ca[)acity,  in  trust  for  the  German  Catholics 
of  (Cumberland  and  vicinity. 

Early  in  the  spring,  of  1848,  the  work  of  digging, 
and  constructing  the  foundation  was  begun,  and  on 
tho  4th  of  June,  the  same  year,  the  corner  stone  was 
laid  with  imposing  ceremonies,  conducted  by  Right 
Reverend  Archbishop  Eccleston,  assisted  by  Father 
Obermyer  and  Father  Ilelenbrecht,  the  latter  one  of 
the  priests  of  the  Redemptorist  order  in  Baltimore. 

The  building  of  the  church  progressed  rapidly, 
under  the  supervision  of  the  architect,  Mr.  Joseph 


470 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


Noll,  and  the  labor  of  the  builders,  MessrH.  Francis 
Haley  &  Bro.,  and  was  put  under  roof  in  the  fall  of 
1848. 

In  the  spring,  of  1849,  a  Redemptorist  priest, 
nanuKl  Father  Urbauzick,  was  sent  from  the  diocese 
of  Baltimore,  and  during  liis  administration  the 
church  was  completed  (September,  1849). 

The  dedicatory  services  took  place  the  same  month. 
at  which  time  a  second  priest.  Father  Kronen  be  rger. 
of  the  Redemptorists,  was  sent  to  this  point,  who 
remained  in  charge. 

The  church  edifice  was  originally  ninety  feet  in 
length,  exclusive  of  the  altar  recess,  and  fifty  feet  in 
breadth ;  it  was  subsequently  lengthened  twenty-four 
feet,  the  addition  being  made  in  1872. 

The  society  rapidly  increased,  and  in  the  yoai- 
IHt^*?  a  seminary  for  the  education  of  priests  of  tlic 
Redemptorist  order  was  erected  on  a  part  of  the  lot 
belonging  to  the  church,  and  contiguous  thereto,  and 
in  the  year  1855  or  1856,  it  was  found  necessary  to 
increase  the  size  of  the  seminary  buihling.  Witli 
this  view  a  lot  was  purchased  by  the  priests,  and  the 
building  augmented  to  its  present  size,  being  now 
one  hundred  feet  in  length  by  forty  in  breadth,  and 
six  stories  in  height,  built  of  brick,  in  a  very  sub- 
stantial manner.  It  stands  upon  an  eminence,  on 
the  west  side  of  Will's  Creek,  from  whence  is  obtained 
one  of  the  finest  views  of  Cumberland  and  her  girdle 
of  mountains. 

The  order  of  Redemptorists  afterwards  purchased 
a  lot  west  of  their  church,  on  which  stood  the  old 
"Allegany  County  Academy,"  and  upon  this  lot  they 


BEDFORD  STUEET  M.  P.  CHURCH. 


471 


»3sr8.  Francis 
in  the  fall  of 

)torist  priest, 
ni  the  (lioeeso 
iiHtration    ilie 

tO). 

3  same  month, 

Kroncnl)erger, 

his  point,  who 

ninety  feet  in 
.nd  iifty  feet  in 
,ed  twenty-four 

d  in    the  year 
priests  of  the 

part  of  the  lot 

us  thcM-eto,  and 
1(1  necessary  to 

|uil(Hng.     Witli 
priests,  and  the 

|i/e,  heing  noNv 
in  hreadth.  and 
in  a  very  suh- 
li  eminence,  on 
lence  is  obtained 
and  her  girdl*" 

lards  purchased 
stood  the  old 
Ion  this  lot  they 


erected  a  parochial  school  house.  Hitherto,  for  soiiio 
years,  a  parociiial  school  had  been  taught  in  the 
Itiisement  of  the  church  building.  This  scliool  was 
continued  in  the  old  Academy  until  the  new  stru(;ture 
was  fitted  for  occupancy. 

In  May,  1870,  the  church  built  a  Convent  on  part 
of  the  same  lot,  immediately  west  of  the  school  hous.;, 
and  the  services  of  three  sisters  of  the  Ursuline  order, 
IVorn  the  Convent  at  Louisville,  Kentu(;ky,  were 
obtained  to  instruct  the  children  of  the  congregation. 

The  church  was  under  the  administration  of  the 
Redemptorist  fathers  from  1849  to  186G,  at  which 
tinie  the  Redemptorists  gave  place  to  the  priests  of 
the  order  of  Carmelites,  who  came  here  from  Leaven- 
worth, Kansas,  and  who  were  succeeded  in  1875  by 
priests  of  the  ('apucin  order,  from  the  province  of 
\hienster,in  Westphalia, (iermany,  who  are  officiating 
at  this  time. 

The  number  of  communicants  in  this  church, 
.elusive  of  children,  is  about  1,800. 

The  priest  now  ministering  in  this  church  is 
Father  Francis,  who  is  assisted  by  other  priests  of 
the  order  of  ('apucins  in  the  seminary. 

BEDFORD  STREET  M.  P.  VIIIHU  H. 

In  the  spring  of  1886,  the  Home  Missionary  Society 
of  the  Maryland  Anmual  Conference,  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  church,  sent  Rev.  Dennis  B.  Dorsey  as  a 
missionary  to  Allegany  county.  Among  other  of 
numerous  places  at  which  he  preached,  was  the  town 
of  Cumberland,  and  here  he  formed  a  society  com- 
posed of  John  Gephart,   Addison   L.    Withers,  and 


472 


HISTORY  OF  CUMHEllLAND. 


Williiiui  Ilaller,  with  their  respective  famihes,  St^r- 
vicea  were  held  statedly  in  the  basement  of  the 
Englisli  Lutheran  church,  until  Rev.  Dorsey  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  John  Eldordice,  when  it  was 
found  necessary  to  seek  another  place  of  worsiiip. 

In  the  fall  of  1838,  this  little  band  went  to  work 
with  a  will,  and  built  their  first  church  edifice,  a 
little  "rough-cast"  house,  20  by  48  feet,  on  Blocher, 
now  calUnl  Bi'dford,  street. 

The  congregation  rapidly  increased,  until  it  was 
found  that  the  little  "rough-cast"  was  too  small  to 
accommodate  the  congregation,  and  it  became  neces- 
sary to  build  a  larger  house  of  worship.  Accordingly. 
in  1849,  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  W.  T.  Eva,  the 
original  house  was  superseded  l)y  the  present 
substantial  brick  structure,  that  stands  at  the  iiiter- 
sectitm  of  Front  and  Bedford  streets,  Tuid  in  1852  a 
comfortable  brick  parsonage  was  erected  on  a  lot 
adjoining  the  church.  ■ 

The  history  of  the  church  from  1852  to  the  fallol 
1871  is  one  of  coin[)arative  success.  In  the  fall  ot 
1871,  Rev.  Henry  Nice,  appointed  by  the  Conferoiur 
of  the  Methodist  Protestant  church  to  this  station. 
becoming  dissatisfied  with  his  church  relations,  desired 
to  transfer  his  membership  together  with  the  Bedford 
street  church  property,  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  In  this  he  was  supported  by  a  immljer  ol  I 
the  members  of  his  charge.  This  condition  of  things 
was  duly  reported  to  the  Pn.'sident  of  the  Maryland 
District  Methodist  Protestant  church,  (Rev.  D.  Evans 
Reese,  D.  D.)  and  the  relations  between  Mr.  Niccj 
and  the  church  were  severed.     In  the  interim  the 


\ 

nKDFOUD  STREET  M.  1'.  CHURCH. 


473 


until  it  was 


church  property  on  Bedford  street  was  leased  to  a 
board  of  trustees,  elected  or  appointed  by  the  Centre 
street  M.  E.  Church,  and  Mr.  Nice  was  received  into 
the  Baltimore  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  StreiHious  efforts  were  made  by  the  Method- 
ist Protestants  to  get  the  representatives  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  to  relincpiish  the  occu- 
pancy of  the  building.  Failing  in  this,  the  Maryland 
Conference,  at  its  session  in  March,  1872,  adopted 
a  resolution  authorizing  the  board  of  managers  of 
the  missionary  society,  of  the  Maryland  Conference, 
to  employ  (competent  legal  counsel,  and  under  such 
direction,  to  proceed,  without  delay,  to  recover  pos- 
session of  the  church  and  parsonage,  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  church,  in  the  city  of  Cumberland.  In 
accordance  witii  this  res(jlution,  suit  was  entered, 
imd  after  all  the  postponements  and  delays  common 
to  a  court  of  chancery,  the  property  was  remanded 
to  the  possession  and  control  of  the  Methodist  Pro- 
testants, in  the  spring  of  1875. 

After  obtaining  possession  of  the  property  again, 
the  Methodist  Protestant  Conference,  by  its  President, 
appointed  Rev.  T.  H.  Lewis  pastor,  in  charge  of  this 
station,  in  the  summer  of  1875.  Mr.  Lewis  was  an 
earnest,  zealous  worker,  and  soon  succeeded  in  re- 
organizing the  church,  and,  with  but  few  exceptions, 
the  old  members  returned  to  their  former  place  of 
worship.  Rev.  Lewis  was  succeeded  in  the  spring  of 
1877,  by  Rev.  Francis  T.  Little,  the  present  pastor, 
under  whose  ministry  the  church  has  sensibly 
increased,  having  a  larger  number  of  members  upon 

its  church  book  than  at    any  former   period  of  its 
60 


474 


lIISTORt  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


history.  Tlie  church  has  also  a  large  and  llourishln"- 
Sunday  school  under  its  management.  The  number 
of  communicants  in  this  church  is  now  175. 


GERMAN  LUrHEFtAN  CUUIiCII. 

In  our  account  of  the  English  Lutheran  churcli  ol 
Cumberland,  we  mentioned  that  the  congregation  v,i' 
that  churcli,  then  worshipping  in  a  log  building,  iieai' 
the  site  of  the  present  English  Lutheran  church,  w.is 
composed  partly  of  Germans,  and  that  the  service 
was  for  some  time  C(Hiducted  in  both  the  English 
and  German  languages.  -, 

In  the  year  1839,  the  Germans  se[)arated  from  tin 
English  Lutherans,  and  obtained  the  services  of  Rev. 
Mr.  Kehler,  to  preach  to  them  in  their  native  tongue. 
every  lourth  Sunday,  at  2  o'clock  i'.  m.  These  ser- 
vices were  held  in  the  old  log  church  of  the  English 
Lutherans.  We  have  not  the  exact  date  at  whieh 
Rev.  Kehler  left,  nor  how  h)ng  he  continued  serviiiir 
the  German  Lutherans,  but  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
Winecolf,  who  remained  until  1843.  The  German 
Lutherans  materially  aided  their  English  brethren 
in  contributions  toward  their  new  church,  (the 
present  structure) .  Rev.  Winecoff  was  succeeded  by 
Rev.  Samuel  Finkle,  who  preached  for  the  congre- 
gation every  two  weeks.  He  came  in  the  fall  of 
1844,  and  left  in  the  fall  of  184G.  At  the  close  of 
Mr.  Finkle's  ministry,  the  Germans  obtained  the 
services  of  Rev.  Peter  Rizer,  the  English  Lutherans 
considering  it  impracticable  to  supply  a  pastor  who 
spoke  both  languages.  Rev.  Rizer  preached  especially 
to  the  German  Lutherans  every  Sunday. 


GEIIMAN    I.UTIIKKAN  CHURCH. 


475 


1(1  nourishing 
The  number 


In  the  .spriii,!:;  of  1848,  the  vestry  of  the  GermnTi 
Lutheran  church  received  a  letter  from  the  vestry  of 
the  English  Lutherans  indicating  that  the  latter 
would  in  future  require  the  sole  use  of  their  place  of 
worship,  whereupon  the  former,  with  a  membership 
of  thirty-five,  begun  the  work  of  erecting  the  present 
massive  structure  on  Bedford  street. 

This  church,  which  is  of  Tuscan  style  of  architec- 
ture, was  designed  by  Mr.  Henry  Smenner,  a  member 
of  the  church.  It  has  a  steeple  150  feet  in  height 
from  the  ground,  and  100  feet  clear  of  the  roof;  in 
tile  tower  of  this  steeple  is  fixed  the  only  town  clock, 
or  public  time  enunciator,  we  have  at  this  time.  The 
chinch  was  finished  and  dedicated  March  17,  1850. 
The  corner  stone  was  laid  the  June  preceding,  with 
an  imposing  display,  there  being  on  that  occjision  a 
procession  of  Clergy,  professional  gentlemen,  Mayor, 
mid  City  Council.  Freemasons,  Odd  Fellows,  Sons  of 
Toniperance,  Red  Men,  German  Society,  trustees, 
and  members  of  the  congregation.  The  church 
stands  on  Bedford,  near  Decatur,  street,  and  is  not 
only  large  and  commodious,  but  is  a  monument  to  the 
indomitable  energy  and  perseverance  of  the  fathers 
who  reared  the  house.  Among  those  whose  names 
are  connected  with  the  erection  of  this  building 
are,  H.  Hanekamp,  Deitrich  Lesir,  Christian  Ren- 
iiinger,  Henry  Smith,  Mr.  Buckholtz,  Mr.  Stier,  John 
Weibel,  and  George  Martz. 

Rev.  Peter  Rizer  was  pastor  of  this  congregation 
from  June  3,  1847,  to  October  15,  1849.  He  was 
succeeded  in  1849  by  Rev.  C.  Schwankoosky,  who 
remained  until  1852.     Rev.  Bauman  succeeded  him 


476 


UISTORY    OF   CUMBERLAND. 


and  remained  until  1855,  when  the  Rev.  Daniel 
Maier  was  called,  who  remained  until  1858.  Mr. 
Maier  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  G.  11.  Vosseler,  who 
filled  the  pulpit  until  186G;  from  this  time  until 
June,  1867,  the  pastoral  duties  were  performed  by 
"Father"  Heyer.  In  June,  18G7,  Rev.  John  Philip 
Conradi  was  installed  as  pastor,  and  fills  the  position 
at  this  date. 

Upon  the  record  of  this  church  we  find  the  follow- 
ing entry  : 

"On  the  10th  of  August,  1853,  the  cholera  appeared 
in  this  town,  and  took  awav  sixteen  fathers  of  fanii- 
lies,  and  six  mothers,  from  this  church;  many  children 
also  died,  but  as  the  force  of  the  epidemic  was  so 
great,  the  burials  took  place  at  night,  and  I,  myself. 
was  for  some  time  very  ill,  it  was  impossible  to  obtain 
names,  ages,  and  dates  of  death."  This  record  was 
made  by  Rev.  Bauman. 

The  number  of  conmiunicants  in  the  church  at  this 
date  is  about  500. 


BAIR  CHAJIM  CHURCH. 

On  the  27th  day  of  April,  1853,  a  little  band  of 
Israelites,  residing  in  Cumberland,  met  together  for 
the  purpose  of  organizing  a  congregation  for  religious 
worship,  according  to  the  faith  of  their  fathers. 
The  room  in  which  they  then  assembled  was  in  an 
upper  story  of  No.  22  Baltimore  street,  and  was 
occupied  by  the  congregation  until  the  spring  of 
1854,  when  the  place  of  meeting  was  changed  to  an 
upper  room  on  the  corner  of  Centre  and  Baltimore 
streets,  opposite  the  English   Lutheran  church.     In 


BAIR  CnAJIM  CHURCH. 


477 


id  the  tblU)w- 


church  at  this 


the  spring  of  1858,  they  again  changed  their  phace  of 
meeting  to  the  building  on  the  west  side  of  Will's 
Creek,  nearly  opposite  Emmanuel  Episcopal  church, 
known  then  as  Semmes'  Law  Building,  which  still 
stands  at  this  day. 

This  first  congregation  of  Israelites  was  organized 
with  H.  Hosenbach,  President;  A.  Scheilds,  Vice 
President;  H.  Adler,  Secretary,  and  S.  Nathan,  Trea- 
surer. The  following  board  of  trustees  was  also 
elected  at  that  time:  Samuel  Sonneborn,  and  S. 
Burgunder. 

From  this  time  it  was  the  law  of  the  congregation 
to  observe  the  Sabbath  strictly,  and  all  the  holy  days 
enjoined  by  the  Mosaic  Law;  for  the  more  regular 
observance  of  which,  worship  in  congregational  form 
was  at  once  instituted. 

On  the  19th  of  November,  of  the  same  year,  the 
congregation  concluded,  after  due  deliberation,  to 
engage  a  reader,  and  the  services  of  Rev.  Juda 
Wechsler  were  at  once  secured.  Mr.  Wechsler 
remained  in  charge  one  year,  and  at  the  end  of  that 
time  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Mr.  Hermomn.  Mr. 
Hermann  remained  two  years,  and  was  followed  by 
Rev.  Isaac  Strauss,  who  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Mr. 
Freundlich,  who  officiated  one  year,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  A.  Laser,  who  continued  in  charge 
until  the  year  1860,  when  he  was  followed  by  Rev. 
Isaac  Gottlieb,  who  served  the  congregation  four 
years,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Isaac  Baum,  who 
remained  until  1869. 

In  the  year  1866,  during  the  ministry  of  Rev. 
Baum,  the  present  synagogue,  corner  of  South  Centre 


478 


HISTORY  OF  CliMHEHLAND. 


and  Union  strocis,  was  erected.  The  buildinn^  is  a 
neat  bricii  wtructurc,  witli  a  seating  ea[)a(;ity  lor 
about  one  bundred  and  fifty  persons.  Attiicbed  to 
tbe  synagogue,  and  situated  in  tb(;  l)asenieiit  of  the 
building,  is  a  sebool  room,  vvbere  tlie  ebildreu  of  tlic 
congregntiou  are  tnugbt,  by  tbe  minister  or  render. 
who  contracts  with  tbe  cburcb  for  tbis  duty  when 
be  enters  upon  bis  [)ast()ral  cbarge.  Tbe  siihool 
dates  its  organization  from  tbe  time  of  tbe  establish- 
ment of  tbe  congregation. 

On  tbe  2d  day  of  Marcb,  18(t7,  tbe  synagogue  on 
Centre  stnset  was  dedicated  witb  religious  obser- 
vances, on  wliicb  occasion  Rev.  B.  S/.obl.  and  II. 
Ibx'kbeimer,  of  Baltimore,  and  Rev.  Raum,  of 
(Jumberlaiid,  odiciated. 

Ill  18(')!),  Ri'v.  A.  Operdieinier  succeeded  Mr.  Baiuii 
as  readei'.  and  iield  tbe  position  until  the  24tb  day  of 
April,  1871,  wbenbedied,  suddenly,  of  heart  disease, 
and  was  buried  in  tbe  Hebrew  cemetery,  in  this  city. 

Rev  Openbeimer  was  succeeded  in  1871,  by  Rev. 
A.  Bonbeim,  who  remained  until  1873,  and  was 
Jbllowed  «l)y  Rev.  G.  Levi,  wbo  ofiiciated  until  187'). 
wben  Rev.  M.  Wurzel  was  called  to  tbe  charge. 
Mr.  Wur/el  contiinied  bere  two  years,  and  was 
succeeded  in  1877  by  Rev.  L.  Eiseman,  tbe  present 
incumbent.  In  tbe  year  1853  tbe  congregation  pur- 
cbased  a  piece  of  ground  on  tbe  Baltimore  pike,  east 
of,  and  contiguous  to,  the  city,  for  burial  purposes. 
They  have  since  grcjitly  enlarged  and  improved  the 
same. 

The  congregation  numbers  at  present  twenty  mem- 
bers, and  the  number  of  pew  holders  is  about  eighty. 


TRINITY  KVANnEMdAL  LUTHERAN  CHURCH. 


470 


Trinity  conji.Togatiou,  of  the  fiUtlicraiis  wlio  jkIIkm'O 
to  the  "Unaltered  AugHbiir<jf  Confession  of  Faith," 
was  once  a  part  of,  and  in  alliliation  witii,  the  eongre- 
<r!ition  that  worships  in  the  chnroh  on  JJedford,  near 
Decatur,  street,  but  who  separated  from  tiie  hitter 
ahout  tlie  year  1852. 

About  this  date,  Rev.  E.  G.  W.  Keyl,  of  Baltimore, 
cnme  to  ('umberland,  and   preaehed    for  this  body. 


Tl 


le   meet  nigs   were 


held 


lein  in  the  old  (Jourt  House. 
Following  Mr.  Keyl  came  Rev.  Mr.  Nortman  and 
Rev.  Sommer,  who  preached  for  the  congregation 
alternately.  These  services  were  held  at  irregular 
intervals,  and  continued  until  the  year  1(S")4.  wlun 
the  present  house  of  worshij)  was  built,  although  a 
congregation  had  been  previously  organized,  with  a 
pastor  in  charge. 

By  reference  to  the  records  we  find  that  Rev.  J. 
F.  Biltz  came  to  this  charge  in  October,  1853,  and 
remained  about  seven  years.  lie  was  succeeded  in 
the  spring  of  18(')()  by  Rev.  (>onrad  II.  Steger.  In 
June,  1854,  the  corner-stone  of  the  new  church,  on 
North  Centre  street,  was  laid.  This  building  is  a 
neat  and  substantial  brick  edifice,  50  feet  long  by  oO 
wide,  and  capable  of  seating  about  .'500  persons.  It 
is  built  in  modern  style,  to  show  full  two  stories. 
The  house  was  completed  the  same  year,  and  dedi- 
cated to  religious  worship.  Rev.  Steger  remained  in 
charge  of  this  church  two  year  ,  and  was  succeeded 
i>y  Rev.  W.  Kaehler.  Mr.  Kaehler  was  followed, 
in  1865,  by  Rev.  Conrad  Schwankoosky,  who  re- 
mained until  1871.  Rev.  Schwankoosky  had  been 
pastor  of  the  United   German  Lutheran  church,  in 


480 


HISTOUY  OF  CUMBKKLANI). 


foririor  years,  })iit  had  Hoparatod  from  that  orjjjanizii- 
tion,  and  connected  hinisell'  witli  those  who  lield  to 
th(»  "Unaltered  Angsburg  Confession."  The  next 
pastor  in  charge  of  this  church  was  Rev.  Frederick 
Kuegcle,  who  came  here  the  20th  of  May,  1871,  and 
is  ofliciating  at  tliis  time. 

There  is  a  parochial  school  attached  to  the  church, 
which  is  taught  by  the  pastor.  The  present  number 
of  pu[)ils  registered  is  1)3.  The  number  of  connuu- 
nicants  in  the  church  is  142. 

KINCiSLKY    M.  E.  CIIAPKL. 

The  idea  of  erecting  a  Methodist  Episcopal  chapel 
in  South  Cumberland,  originated  with  a  few  /ealuiis 
members  of  Centre  street  M.  E.  church,  among  whom 
were  S.  T.  Little,  John  Kellenbeck,  and  Samuel 
Milford,  who,  taking  in  view  the  wants  of  the  mem- 
bers who  were  settling  in  that  part  of  the  city,  in 
consequence  of  the  establishment  of  the  Baltimore 
and  Ohio  Railroad  Company's  Rolling  Mills,  wished 
to  place  them  in  more  convenient  reach  of  a  house  ol' 
worship. 

In  the  month  of  August,  1870,  the  lot  on  which 
the  chapel  and  parsonage  stand  was  leased,  at  an 
annual  ground  rent  of  $30,  and  the  chapel,  a  plain 
frame  building,  30  by  45  feet,  was  erected.  The 
structure  was  completed  on  the  5th  of  December. 
1870,  at  a  cost  of  $1,000,  and  on  the  10th  of  the 
same  month  was  subsequently  dedicated  to  GodV 
worship,  by  Rev.  E.  J.  Gray,  then  pastor  of  the  M. 
E.  church  in  Frostburg,  Md.,  at  which  time  sufficient 
money  was  collected  to  relieve  the  church  from 
debt. 


KINGSLKY  M.  K.  CTIArEL. 


481 


Tlie  Pro.sitlin^  Kldcr,  for  tliiH  circuit,  ji|)))oiiitc(l 
Kcv.  J.  McK.  Walsli,  a  .supcrimincrary  proaclior,  of 
Baltimore  ('onrcroncc.  to  take  charge  of  the  new 
chapel,  which  cliarge  he  hehl  until  the  session  of 
the  aininal  conference,  in  March,  1871,  when  Kev. 
A.  J.  dill  hecame  the  regular  pasti)r,  who,  on  the 
lOth  (lay  of  March,  preached  his  first  sermon  in  the 
huildiug,  and  received  into  memhership,  hy  certificate, 
tiie  following  persons  :  S.  T.  Little,  Samuel  Millord, 
.fohn  KellenbecU,  (leorge  Johnson,  Samuel  Johnson, 
Henry  Mahauey,  Howard  Deetz,  John  Koj)e,  Eliza- 
beth Mil  ford,  Kli/aheth  Kellenbcck,  Ellen  Fisher, 
and  Amos  Fisher. 

On  the  0th  of  April,  following,  the  first  regular 
(|iiiirterly  (!oiderence  of  this  church  was  held  at  the 
rosidence  of  John  Kelleidjeck.  and  the  following 
officers  were  elected:  Trustees,  Jesse  Korns,  S.  T. 
Little.  Samuel  Johnson,  Samuel  Milford,  and  W.  R. 
Mudge.  Stewards,  S.  T.  Little.  John  Kellenbcck, 
and  Howard  Deetz. 

Rev.  Gill  continued  to  ofhciate  in  this  charge  two 
years,  and  was  succeeded  in  March,  1873,  by  Rev.  S. 
i\I.  Alford,  who  renniined  three  years,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded in  March,  1870,  by  Rev.  W.  H.  Reed,  who 
ministered  to  the  congregation  one  year. 

It  was  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Mr.  Reed  that 
the  parsonage,  a  neat  frame  residence,  was  erected. 

In  March,  1877,  Rev.  D.  M.  Browning,  the  present 

pastor,  was   appointed  to  this  charge.      The  earlier 

history  of  this  church  was  that  of  marked  prosperity, 

but  for  the  past  few  years  it  has  suffered  loss,  on 

account  of  the  stoppage  and  irregular  working  of  the 
61 


482 


HISTORY  OF  CUMIUIULANI). 


Baltiinoro  and  Ohio  rolliiifj;  ihIUh,  in  wliicli  inany  of 
the  iiumuIkts  of  tliis  dODj^ro^atioii  foiiinl  t'liiijioymciit 
in  more  proHpcrouM  tiincs. 

'V\w  niiml)or  of   oonniuiuioants  in   thin  cimiTh  is 
about  DO. 


ZION  (JKHMAN  KKFORMKI)  (HUKCII. 

This  churcli  oonj^jivfijation  meets  in  wliat  was  for- 
nicrly  known  as  the  old  Presbyterian  ehnrcli,  a  large 
brick  edifiee,  with  ('Uj)ola  and  belfry,  situated  on 
north  Liberty,  between  Baltimore  and  Hedlbnl, 
streets.  , 

The  first  misson  of  this  ehinch  was  established  in 
1867,  with  Rev.  A.  Wanner  as  missionary,  who 
renniined  initil  1871.  Previous  to  tiie  arrival  of  Mr. 
Wanner,  jn'eaehini^  by  ministers  of  this  [jrofessioii 
took  place  occasionally,  at  which  times  the  Presby- 
terians kindly  granted  the  use  of  their  building  on 
Liberty  street. 

In  May,  1871,  the  congregation,  having  been  fully 
established,  made  a  provisional  |)urchase  of  their 
present  house  of  worship,  from  the  Presbyterians, 
although  a  full  title  was  not  obtained  until  June, 
1872,  the  price  then  paid  being  $5,500.  From  this 
time  stated  services  were  held  in  this  building. 

The  iirst  regular  [)astor  was  Rev.  C.  (-ast,  who 
was  installed  in  1871,  and  remained  in  charge  until 
1874,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev  F.  R.  Schwedes, 
the  present  incumbent.  — 

The  congregation  of  this  church  own  a  cemetery, 
three  acres  in  extent,  situated  on  the  Baltimore  pike, 
a  little  east  of  the  city. 


niuisT  ui:v")UMKF)  r.riscoi'AL  cmiHCii. 


483 


is  cliurcli  is 


A  Siindn}  school,  under  tlu'  iJiitronaf^o  of  the 
cliurch,  imhiiIkts  about  125  HcholarH. 

Tlio  'lUinbor  of  coinuiunicauts  in  tluH  cliurch  is 
about  150. 

(MFRiaT  IlKFORMKD  FPISCOPAL  CnURCn. 

The  iniiuj;unil  scrvicos  of  this  cliurcli  wore  hold  in 
Trinity  M.  K.  church.  South,  corner  of  south  Centre 
and  Union  streets,  on  Sunchiy,  May  14,  1870,  vvlien 
Hishop  ({eor}!;e  I).  Cuininins.  Presidin;^;  IJishoj)  of 
tlic  Kefoniied  Episcopal  <'hurch,  oiliciated,  assisted  by 
John  K.  Dunn,  tlie  present  })ast<)r.  At  thl^  time 
services  were  hehl  morning  and  evening,  the  Bi  )p 
preacliing  on  both  occasions. 

Two  (hiys  tliereafter  (Tuesday,  May  16),  a  num- 
ber of  gentlenuMi  met  at  the  ollice  of  fJeo.  Henderson, 
Jr.,  on  north  liiborty  street,  and  organi/ed  a  ])arish, 
and  established  a  church,  under  the  name  of  (.'lirist 
Reformed  Episcopal  Church.  Rev.  J.  K.  Dunn  was 
chosen  rector,  and  a  vestry  consisting  of  the  foUowing 
persons  was  elected:  Wardens,  Dr.  S.  P.  Smith, 
and  George  Henderson,  Jr.  Vestrymen,  Thomas 
Johns.  Ceorgo  A.  Pearre,  Jonathan  W.  Magruder, 
E.  T.  Sliriver,  C,  J.  Orrick,  Dr.  S.  H.  Fundenberg, 
J.  W.  Pearce  and  W.  H.  Harrison. 

On  the  following  Sunday,  (May  21,  187C,)  regular 
services  of  the  newly  organized  parish  were  held  for 
the  first  time,  in  the  Hall  of  the  Young  Men's  ('hris- 
tian  Association,  north  Centre  street.  Rev.  John  K 
Dunn  rector,  oflliciating.  In  the  course  of  a  month 
about  twenty-five  members  were  enrolled  upon  the 
church  book  as  communicants. 


484 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


A  Sunday  school  under  the  management  of  this 
church  was  established  on  the  afternoon  of  Sunday. 
May  21,  1876,  in  the  same  place. 

The  services  of  the  church  were  continued  in  the 
Hall  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  until 
March,  1877,  when  the  congregation  purchased 
Trinity  M.  E  church  building,  on  south  Centre  street, 
for  the  sum  of  $5,500  in  cash,  the  congregation  of 
that  church  having  disbanded  some  months  previous. 
The  building  thus  purchased  by  Christ  Reibrmed 
Episcopal  church  has  been  in  Jieir  occupancy  ever 
since,  stated  worship  being  hehl   there  at  this  time. 

The  present  number  of  communicants  is  about  70, 
and  the  Sunday  school  now  numbers  about  170 
scholars. 


McKENDREE  (AFRICAN)  M.  E.  CHAPEL. 

The  church  now  known  as  McKendree  M.  E. 
Chapel  Congregation,  is  composed  of  colored  people, 
who  formerly  worshipped  with  the  congregation  of 
the  Centre  street  M.  E.  church,  and  were  unde»*  tlie 
government  of  the  Baltimore  Conference,  as  their 
white  brethren.  In  the  fall  of  1854,  the  colored 
portion  of  the  Centre  street  M.  E.  church  withdrew 
from  the  whites,  and  organized  a  separate  congrega- 
tion. They  purchased  their  present  house  of  worship 
during  that  year,  and  have  occupied  it  for  religious 
purposes  ever  since. 

The  building  is  a  modern  brick  structure,  and  was 
originally  30  by  40  feet,  but  during  the  pastorate  of 
Rev.  M.  Spreddles  it  was  lengthened  eight  feet.  It 
is  finished  as  a  two  story  building. 


MCKENDREE  M.   E.  CHAPEL. 


485 


Among  the  first  trustees  of  this  church  we  find  the 
names  of  Lewis  Graham,  Joseph  Taper,  James  Tibbs, 
and  Eli  Robinson. 

The  congregation,  at  the  time  of  its  organization, 
numbered  about  forty.  The  first  pastor  was  Rev. 
Henry  Mattliews,  who  remained  one  ond  a  half 
years,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  W.  S.  Wilson,  who 
served  three  years,  and  was  followed  in  18G9  by 
Rev.  M.  Spreddles,  who  remained  until  1872,  when 
he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  E.  Lawson.  Rev.  Lawson 
served  only  one  year,  and  was  succeeded  in  l873,  by 
Rev.  Thomas  Davis,  who,  after  a  brief  ministry 
withdrew  from  this  conference,  and  united  with 
another.  In  1874.  Rev.  A.  B.  Wilson  came  here  to 
fill  the  unexpired  term  of  Rev.  Davis,  and  remained 
until  February,  1875,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
Henry  Cellers,  who  is  the  present  pastor. 

The  church  has  a  Sunday  school  under  its  man- 
agement. The  number  of  communicants  at  this 
time  is  90. 


AFRICAN  M.  E.  CHURCU. 

For  many  years  the  colored  persons  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  faith  were  accustomed  to  attend 
services  at  the  Centre  street  M.  E.  cburch,  where  a 
portion  of  the  gallery  was  set  apart  for  their  use. 
But  in  1848  they  determined  to  provide  themselves 
with  a  house  of  worship,  and  therefore  effected  an 
organization,  and  elected  a  board  of  trustees,  as  fol- 
lows: Nathaniel  Burgee,  Philip  Only,  Jacob  Mitchell, 
Wm.  Hamilton,  John  Pago,  John  Murdock,  and 
Henry  Robinson.     Father  Golden,  of  Baltimore,  came 


486 


IIISTORV  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


here,  and  devoted  himself  to  the  work,  and  before 
the  close  of  the  year,  succeeded  in  securing  the 
erection  and  completion  of  a  plain  l)rick  building,  on 
Frederick  street  extended.  In  1871,  the  house  was 
rebuilt  and  enlarged,  and  in  1875,  was  again 
enlarged,  to  accommodate  the  increasing  member- 
Bhip. 

The  pastors  who  have  served  in  this  church,  from 
the  date  of  its  organization,  are  as  follows,  beginning, 
in  1848,  Avith  Father  Golden:  Mis  successors  were 
Rev.  Thcmias  Henry,  Dr.  Watts,  D.  A.  llidout,  James 
Sterricks.  Mr.  Russell,  R.  A.  Hall,  John  F.  Lane. 
William  Smith,  C.  Sampson.  Wm.  11.  Waters, 
Joseph  Thompson,  Jas.  H.  A.  Johnson,  J.  B.  Ham- 
ilton, and  J.  M.  Cargill,  the  latter  having  been 
appointed  to  this  charge  early  in  1877,  and  being 
.still  the  j)astor  of  the  eluirch.  which  is  quite  pros- 
perous. 

EBENEZER  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

Ebenezer,  African,  Baj)tist  church,  was  organized 
in  the  spring  of  1875,  by  the  Revs.  H.  J.  ChandkM-. 
of  Bedford  street  Baptist  church,  in  Cumberland,  and 
James  Nelson,  then  of  Georgetown,  D.  C,  now  of 
Farmville,  Va. 

The  first  congregational  worship  of  this  body  was 
in  the  third  story  of  the  west  end  of  Reynolds's 
Block,  on  Baltimore,  between  Liberty  and  Mechanic, 
streets.  The  number  of  members  enrolled  at  the 
time  of  organization  was  about  twenty,  and  Rev. 
Lewis  Hicks,  the  present  pastor,  was  then  installed. 

This  church  continued  to  worship  in  Reynolds's 
Block  until  their  new  church  edifice  w^as  built,  on 


EBENEZER   BAPTIST  CHURCH. 


487 


Cumberland  stroot,  on  the  west  side  of  Will's  Creek. 
The  corner  stone  of  this  building  was  laid  in  August, 
1875,  Dr.  S.  C.  Thrall,  of  Emmanuel  Episcopal 
church,  and  Rev.  IT.  J.  Chandler,  of  Bedford  street 
Baptist  church,  officiating,  and  the  house  was  pushed 
forward  to  comjjletion  by  the  end  of  the  year. 

The  lot  on  which  the  church  is  located  was  pur- 
chased of  Oeorge  Henderson,  Jr.,  and  deeded  to 
Lewis  Hicks,  Willie  Johnson,  Robert  Trent,  Simon 
Bolden,  and  John  M.  Thomas,  a  committee  appointed 
by  Ebenezer  Baptist  church  of  Cumberland, 

The  building  is  a  modern  brick  structure,  finished 
to  show  two  stories  in  height,  and  40  feet  in  length 
by  28  in  breadth. 

The  building  of  this  house  of  worship  evinced  a 
degree  of  courage  and  energy  truly  remarkable.  At 
a  time  when  there  was  a  great  scarcity  of  money,  and 
a  prostration  of  business,  the  work  was  projected, 
and  it  was  carried  forward  under  trials  and  difficulties 
innumerable,  by  a  class  of  men  dependent  on  their 
labor  for  daily  bread. 

A  small  Sunday  school  is  in  operation,  under  the 
management  of  thi«  church.  The  number  of  com- 
municants is  about  15. 


THE  CITY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


The  City  of  (Jumborland  is  located  at  the  Eastern 

base  of  the  Allegany  Mountains,  on  the  banks  of  the 

North  Branch  of  the  Potomac   River   and  of  Will's 

Creek,   at   the   mouth   of  the   latter  stream.      Her 

geograpical  position  is  89°  39'  14"  latitude;  longitude, 

in  arc  78°  45'  25";  in  time  oh.  I5m.  01. 7s.     The  city 

is  surrounded  by  mountains  and  abrupt  bluffs  on  all 

sides,   but    has    natural    outlets  in  every  direction, 

through  which  easy  passage  has  been  found  for  her 

channels  of  communication  with  other  parts  of  the 

world.     Not  only  has  the  valley  east  of  Will's  Creek 

been  built  up  with  streets,  residences,  business  houses 

and  factories,  but  the  hills  have  been  scaled,  and  on 

every  side  improved  by  the  hands  of  enterprise  and 

progress.     The  picturesque   beauty  of  the  place  is 

scarcely  surpassed  by  any  other  spot  in  the  country, 

while    some    of    the    surroundings    are    grand    and 

imposing  in  the  extreme.     There  are  few  points  from 

which  the  entire  city  can   be  brought  into  view  at 

one  glance,  but  from  every  point  of  observation  the 

eye  is  greeted  with  a  variety  of  scenery  of  exceptional 

attraction,  and    the    natural  beauty    of  the  vision 

is  enhanced  by  the  architectural  improvements  which 

have  converted  tlie  quiet  hill  and  vale  into  scenes  of 

busy  life.     From  every  hill  side  flash  into  view  lofty 
62 


490 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


spires,  temples  built  of  native  stone,  charming  villas, 
towered  edifices,  and  comfortable  homes,  evincinir 
educated  tastes  and  refined  ideas.  The  placid 
Potomac,  forming  the  southern  boundary  of  the  city. 
is  apparently  land-locked,  and  presents  the  appear- 
ance of  a  modest  lake,  upon  whose  bosom  is  mirrored 
the  beauty  of  its  leafy  shores;  while  jthe  swifter 
waters  of  Will's  Creek  come  purling  into  the  very 
heart  of  the  town,  cool  and  fresh,  from  the  sombre 
shades  of  the  wondrous  "Narrows."  Southward  the 
waters  of  the  two  streams  tumble  over  a  dam  ol' 
solid  masonry,  and  skirt  the  base  of  "Nobley"  Moun- 
tain, until  they  disappear  from  view  at  the  edge  of 
the  city,  some  half  mile  lower  down  the  channel. 
Eastward  is  a  series  of  blufts,  some  three  hundred 
feet  in  height,  known  as  "Shriver's  Hill,"  "McKaigV 
Hill,"  and  "Fort  Hill."  The  sides  of  these  hills  are 
dotted  with  dwellings,  and  cultivated  fields,  in  many 
places,  while  the  gorges  between  have  been  converted 
into  streets  and  roads.  On  the  south,  and  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  river,  in  West  Virginia,  Nobley 
Mountains  rise  in  their  self-asserting  grandeur,  and 
with  the  rich  bottom  lands  lying  at  their  feet,  form  a 
picture  worthy  to  be  transferred  to  canvas,  if  a  brush 
can  be  found  to  do  them  justice.  On  a  knob,  around 
which  the  river  sweeps  with  a  graceful  curve,  stands 
the  beautiful  villa  of  Capt.  Roger  Perry,  of  the  navy, 
forming  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  attractive 
pictures  of  the  panorama  of  the  city.  Cumberland  is 
divided  into  two  parts  by  the  waters  of  Will's  Creek. 
That  portion  lying  east  of  the  Creek  comprises  the 
greater  part   of  the  business  houses,  hotels,  mills, 


CITY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


491 


factories,  wharves,  railroad  depots,  &c.,  besides  the 
elegant  structure  recently  erected  as  a  City  Hall, 
and  a  number  of  streets  desirable  as  places  of  resi- 
dence. The  west  side  is  devoted  almost  exclusively 
to  private  residences,  and  there  are  few  thoroughfares 
in  the  smaller  cities  of  the  Union,  superior  to  Wash- 
ington street  in  the  character  of  its  buildings  and 
their  tasteful  surroundings.  This  avenue  is  well 
lined  xith  shade  trees,  while  spacious  grounds  and 
cultivated  shrubbery  surround  almost  every  house. 
On  it  are  located  also  the  Court  House,  a  handsome 
building,  and  two  fine  stone  church  edifices. 

The  Potomac  River  is  spanned  by  an  iron  bridge, 
built  by  the  city,  for  the  purpose  of  affording  easy 
communication  with  the  people  of  West  Virginia. 
Over  Will's  Creels  are  three  iron  bridges  for  general 
traffic,  one  iron  bridge  for  railroad  purposes,  one 
bridge  for  the  passage  of  canal  boat  teams,  and  tiie 
splendid  brick  viaduct,  built  by  the  Baltimore  ai:d 
Ohio  Railroad  Company,  in  1850,  for  the  passage  of 
its  trains.  This  latter  is  about  one  sixth  of  a  mile 
in  length,  has  fourteen  arches,  and  spans  several 
streets,  as  well  as  the  Creek.  In  addition  to  these 
there  is  a  bridge  of  solid  masonry  at  the  north  end 
of  the  city,  constructed  by  the  general  government, 
as  a  part  of  its  great  improvement  known  as  the 
National  Road. 

The  streets  are  quite  irregular,  in  the  eastern 
section,  and  seem  to  have  followed,  to  a  great  extent, 
the  courses  of  the  old  roads.  They  are  from  thirty 
to  sixty  feet  in  width,  and  with  few  exceptions  are 
graded  and  paved  with  cobble  stones.     Large  sums 


492 


IIISTOUV  OF  CUMBEKLAND. 


of  money  were  spent  in  this  work  originally,  and 
thousands  of  dollars  are  now  appllcMl  every  year  to 
the  cleansing  and  repair  of  t\w  same. 

The  climate  is  mild,  but  changeable.  The  ex- 
tremes of  heat  and  cold  are  not  so  great  as  those 
common  to  points  in  the  same  latitude,  and  altogether 
the  city  may  be  said  to  be  (piite  healthy,  as  there  aw 
no  types  of  disease  that  become  epidemic.  In  the 
summer  season,  no  matter  how  warm  the  weather 
may  be  during  the  day,  the  nights  are  cool  and 
pleasant. 

The  business  houses  are  generally  of  a  substantial, 
respectable  and  attractive  character,  and  as  a  rule 
the  merchants  confine  themselves  each  to  a  particular 
branch  of  trade,  instead  of  keeping  a  "  general"  stock 
of  merchandise  on  hand.  There  ar(?  many  wholesali' 
houses  that  have  a  good  trade,  and  they  are  able  to 
compete  with  jobbers  in  the  larger  cities  East  and 
West. 

"The  city  is  on  the  outer  edge  of  the  great  Coal 
Basin  which  goes  by  its  name,  connected  with  it  by 
the  lines  of  the  Cumberland  and  Pennsylvania  Rail- 
road, and  the  Cumberland  Coal  and  Iron  Company's 
Railroad. 

"  The  population  of  Cumberland,  according  to  i\w 
census  of  1870,  was  8,056  ;  in  1873,  11,300.  As  the 
city  has  grown  rapidly  since  that  time  it  is  probably 
safe  to  estimate  its  present  population  at  about 
13,000.  •  _  .     ..     .  -  -_ 

"  It  is  an  incorporated  city,  governed  by  a  Mayor 
and  Board  of  Councilmen  ;  with  a  regularly  organized 
police  force      The  citj^  is  lighted  by  gas,  and  supplied 


CITY  OP  CUMBERLAND. 


493 


ties  East  and 


with  water  from  the  Potomac  river,  by  the   ^  Holly 
system  of  fire  protection  and  water  supply.'" 

Its  means  of  communication  with  other  parts  of  the 
country  are  numerous,  and  ample.  The  Chesapeake 
and  Ohio  Canal  extends  from  Cumberland  to  Wash- 
ington City,  where  it  connects  witli  tide-water ;  and 
about  three-quarters  of  a  million  tons  of  coal  are 
annually  transported  through  this  channel  to  the 
p]ast. 

The  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad  connects  the  city 
with  Baltitnore  on  the  one  hand,  and  the  Ohio  River 
on  the  other;  the  Pittsburgh  and  Connellsville 
Railroad,  with  Pitsburgh ;  the  Cumberland  and 
Pennsylvania  Railroad,  with  the  coal  region  ;  and  a 
new  road  (the  Pennsylvania  Railroad,  in  Maryland,) 
is  nearly  completed,  whereby  the  Pennsylvania  Rail- 
road will  find  its  way  into  the  city. 

"The  business  of  the  city  is  largely  dependent  upon 
the  coal  trade,  the  annual  shipments  of  Cumberland 
coal  amounting  to  nearly  2,000,000  tons. 

The  Cumberland  Coal  Field  lies  west  of  the  city 
of  Cumberland,  in  a  basin  formed  by  the  Great  Savage 
Mountain  on  the  North-west  and  the  Dan's  Mountain 
on  the  South-east,  and  running  North-east  and  South- 
west from  Peimsylvania  State  line,  through  Allegany 
county,  into  Mineral  county.  West  Virginia.  The 
basin  is  about  five  miles  wide  between  the  two 
ranges  and  about  twenty  miles  long.  The  floor  of 
the  basin  slopes  from  either  end  upwards  to  Frost- 
burg,  where  it  attains  its  greatest  altitude,  from 
2,000  to  2,100  feet  above  mean  tide. 

''  The  Southern  slope  of  the  basin  is  drained  by 


494 


HISTORY  OF  CUMHEULANn. 


George's  Creek,  flowing  Soutli-west  from  Frostburg 
and  emptying  into  tlie  Potomac  river.  The  Northern 
rtlope,  by  Jennings  Run,  flowing  Northwest  into 
Will's  Creek.  The  aggregate  depth  of  coal  formation 
here  is  1,100  feet,  its  base  being  the  Millstone  Grit. 
Capping  the  sumtnita  of  Savage  and  Dan's  mountains, 
it  extends  down  their  sides  into  the  valley,  where  it 
dips  below  the  surface. 

"The  principal  coal  veins  are,  first,  the  "Big  Vein," 
fourteen  feet  of  coal,  lying  1,860  feet  above  tide. 
This  is  the  vein  from  which  most  of  the  coal  is  now 
mined.  It  underlies  the  surface  of  the  valley  at 
Frostburg  and  Borden  Shaft,  but  southward,  down 
the  George's  Creek,  water  has  cut  away  that  portion 
of  the  measure  lying  in  the  lowest  part  of  the  valley 
and  with  it  this  vein  (which  here  must  have  been 
very  near  the  surface)  leaving  the  higher  parts  only 
of  the  vein  standing  in  the  hills  thus  formed  on 
either  side  of  the  water  course.  Second,  the  "Four 
Foot  Vein,"  which  lies  about  800  feet  below  the 
"  Fourteen  Foot  Vein."  This  vein  is  below  water  in 
the  higher  part  of  the  basin  ;  but  appears  about  sixty 
feet  above  at  Barton,  and  lies  above  the  level  from 
that  point  southward,  down  the  George's  Creek. 
This  vein  has  been  opened  by  the  Piedmont  Coal  and 
Iron  Company,  and  proves  to  be  equal  in  quality  to 
the  Big  Vein,  and  in  the  southern  portion  of  the 
basin  lies  in  such  a  way  as  to  be  easily  rained. 
Lastly,  the  "  Six  Foot  Vein,"  which  lies  160  feet 
below  the  "  Four  Foot  Vein,"  and  is  above  water 
level  in  the  lower  part  of  the  valley  only.  These 
two  lower  veins,  though    smaller  in  size  than  the 


CITY  OP  CUMBERLAND. 


495 


"  Big  Vein,"  have  a  much  greater  acreage,  as  but 
little  of  either  vein  has  been  cut  away  by  erosion. 
At  present  the  abundant  supply  contained  in  the 
large  vein  is  so  easy  of  access  and  can  be  so  cheaply 
mined,  that  these  smaller  veins  have  not  received 
the  share  of  attention  which  they  eventually  will. 
Several  new  openings  other  than  those  mentioned  are 
now  being  made  in  these  smaller  veins,  with  very 
encouraging  prospects. 

"  The  total  acreage  of  coal  land  in  this  field  is 
44,182.  Of  this,  17,300  acres  contain  the  large 
"  B\)urteen  Foot  Vein,"  and  of  course  all  contain  the 
two  smaller  veins.  Besides  these,  which  are  the 
working  veins,  there  are  numerous  other  small  veins, 
throughout  the  entire  depth  of  the  coal  measure  ; 
these  veins  are  from  si.x  inches  to  three  feet  in 
thickness ;  they  have  never  received  any  attention 
from  mining  companies  or  experts.  The  coal  of  this 
field  is  well  and  favorably  known  by  consumers  and 
dealers  generally.  It  is  a  free  burning  bituminous 
coal,  containing  on  an  average  75  per  cent,  of  fixed 
carbon.  It  is  free  from  injurious  impurities  and 
with  very  little  slate  or  earthy  particles.  A  Com- 
mitttee  of  Naval  Officers  and  Engineers  which  was 
appointed  by  the  United  States  Government,  to  test, 
by  actual  experiment,  the  relative  value  for  forge  and 
steam  generating  purposes  of  all  the  different  kinds 
of  coal  found  in  this  country  and  in  England,  rate 
Cumberland  Coal  (in  general  average)  to  be  tl  e  best 
coal  for  steam  generating  purposes  in  the  market,  and 
superior  for  forge  purposes  also.  Under  equal  weights 
the  Cumberland  Coal  surpasses  the  Anthracite,  in 


490 


HISTORY  OF  CUMBERLAND. 


evaporativo  power,  by  2.3  per  cent.;  under  ecpial 
bulk  by  1.4  per  cent.  It  .surpa.ssos  tlie  ft)reign 
bituininouH  coals  20  per  cent,  comparing  e<pial 
weights,  and  26  per  cent,  comparin;^  ecjual  bulk. 
It  is  used  by  manufacturers  and  transportation 

companies  generally  throughout  the    Kastern  States. 

From  1842  to  1870  (inclusive)  32,01)0,877  tons  of 
this  coal  have  been  mined  and  shi[)ped.  The  supply 
is  still  abundant;  the  lower  veins  being  almost 
untouched,  and  ol'  the  upper  vein  there  are  about 
12,057  acres  still  uncut. 

Amongst  the  newspapers  in  the  city,  is  the  "Daily 
Times,"  mention  of  which  was  inadvertently  omitted. 
The  "Alleganian  and  Times"  was  re-established 
in  180'^  by  L.  G.  Stephens  and  T.  B.  Taylor, 
and  ii  77  the  latter  gentleman  became  the  sole 
owner,  inA  changed  the  name  of  the  paper  to  "  The 
Cumberland  Daily  Times." 


COAL  COMPANIES  IN  ALLEGANY  COUNTY. 

Ainericnn  CdiiI  Company;  A.  ,T.  Clark,  Superintendent,  Lonnconinji;. 

Atlantic  and  Oeorge  h  Creek  (Joal  and  Iron  Cotupuuy;  Jolui  Sheridan,  Super- 
intendent, Pekin. 

Borden  Coal  Company;  A.  V.  Greene,  Agent,  Frostburg.  ShippiiiK  Agent, 
Cumberland,  ¥.  L.  Tilt?hninn. 

Biaen  Avon  Coal  Company;  A.  S|)ier,  PreHident,  Cumberland. 

Consolidation  Coal  Company;  James  A.  Millholland,  Second  Vice  President, 
Cumberland. 

Franklin  Mines;  H.  C.  Black,  Superintendent,  Franklin. 

George's  Creek  Coal  and  Iron  Company;  .John  Douglas,  Superintendent, 
Lonaconing.     Shipping  Agent,  Cumberland,  George  A.  Ilotfman. 

Hampshire  and  Baltimore  Coal  Company:  Charles  W.  Shaw,  Superintendent, 
Piedmont,  W.  Va.    Shipping  Agent,  Cumberland,  .1.  B.  Winslow. 

Maryland  Coal  Company;  F.  E.  Bracket,  Superintendent,  Lonaconing 
Shipping  Agent,  Cumberland,  Howell  Bobbins. 

New  Central  Coal  Company;  Malcolm  Sinclair,  General  Manager,  Cumber- 
land.   Shipoing  Agent,  Cumberland,  Alexander  Adams. 

Piedmont  Coal  Company;  .John  Somerville,  Superintendent,  Barton. 

Potomac  Coal  Company;  George  W.  Lyons,  Superintendent,  Barton. 

Swanton  Coal  Company;  Archibald  McDonald,  Superintendent,  Barton. 


MAJOR  GENERAL 

EDWARD  BRADDOCK'S 


FROM 

FEBRUARY  26  TO  JUNE  17,  1755. 

Fko.m  the  Originals, 

IN   THE 

COKGRESSIONAL  LIBRARY. 


^ngjgsi 


What  iiriinediately  follows,  is  the  Orders  of  his 
Kxcellency  General  Braddock  from  his  arrival  in 
Virginia  until  tl:^  17th  of  June  following,  wdion 
Indisposition  obliged  the  writer,  or  copier,  thereof  to 
Beperate  from  him  and  remain  (until  he  was  in  a 
condition  to  move  fc>rward  again)  with  the  rear 
division  of  the  Army.  Rejoining  in  a  low  and 
enfeebled  state,  only  the  day  before  the  Action  of 
Monnongalia  (which  happened  on  the  9th  of  July) 
there  was  not  time  even  if  he  had  been  nhh  to  enter 
the  Ordei's  that  had  issued  during  his  seperation; 
which  is  more  to  be  regretted  as  it  is  probable  the 
Order  of  Battle,  and  many  other  important  Orders 
were  among  them. 

He  did,  however,  as  may  be  seen  by  a  letter  to 
Captain  Orme,  dated  the  28th  day  of  July — Request 
a  copy  ot  these  orders,  but  as  they  never  were  sent, 
they  cannot  be  inserted. 


[General  Braddock's  Orderly  Books  are  two  in  number,  the  first  embracing 
the  orders  issued  from  the  26th  of  February  to  the  11th  of  June,  175£  aud 
the  second  from  the  12th  to  the  17th  of  June,  1755.  On  a  page  preceiJugthe 
orders  appears  the  above  extract,  in  Washington's  own  handwriting,  and  it  is 
presumed  that  the  books  were  kept  under  his  direction.  These  books  were 
transferred  to  the  Congressional  Library  from  the  library  of  the  late 
Peter  Force,  after  the  death  of  that  eminent  man,  whose  collection  of  manu- 
scripts concerning  Anierican  history  was  undoubtedly  the  most  complete  ia 
ezist.ence.] 


Drders  of  his 
[lis  arrival  in 
lowing,    when 
ier,  thereof  to 
il   he  wdi^  in  a 
vith    the    rear 
n    a  low    and 
the  Action  of 
e  9th  of  July) 
n  able  to  enter 
lis  seperation; 
8  probable  the 
lortant  Orders 

by  a  letter  to 
fuly — Request 
^er  were  sent, 


GENERAL  BRADDOCK'S  ORDERLY  BOOK, 

NO.  1. 


,  the  first  embracing 

of  June,  1751   aud 

page  precetiugthe 

indwrltiDg,  and  it  is 

These  books  were 

|library  of   the  late 

collection  of  manu- 

le  most  complete  in 


His  Excellency  General  Braddock  orders  that  the 
commanding  Oflicer  of  each  ship  upon  their  arrival 
in  Hamptom  Road  shall  immediately  send  a  Return 
inclosed  to  Mr.  Hunter  at  Hampton,  specifying  the 
number  of  their  sick,  the  time  of  their  illness,  and 
the  nature  of  them.  And  that  every  commanding 
Officer  shall  with  the  utmost  dispatch  apply  to  Mr. 
Hunter  i'or  Boats  to  carry  the  sick  on  shore  wch  shall 
be  executed  with  all  imaginable  care  and  expedition, 
and  that  a  Subaltorn  Officer  of  each  ship  shall  see 
tlieir  men  safely  conveyed  to  the  place  appointed  at 
Hampton  for  their  Recept'jM,  which  Mr.  Hunter  will 
shew  them;  and  that  the  Surgeons  or  mates  of  the 
two  regiuients  and  Train  shall  attend  the  sick  of 
their  own  corps.  Every  commanding  Officer  is  to 
take  particular  care  that  as  soon  as  their  sick  are 
sent  n.  Shore  all  the  Hatchways  be  uncovered,  scuttles 
opened  and  the  Platform  thoroughly  washed  and 
cleaned,  no  Ollicer  or  soldier,  except  the  sick,  to  lie 
on  shore  upon  any  acct.  The  Hospital  to  continue 
on  board  till  the  General's  further  Orders. 

Williamsburg,  Febry  26th.  1755. 

To  the  companies  of  Rangers  and  carpenters  : 

His  Excellency  General  Braddock  orders  the  com- 
inandiT  officer  of  each  company  or  Troop  to  send  a 
weekly  Retttrn  to  the  head  Quarter's  agreeable  to  the 
Form  annexed;  and  duplicates  of  the  Returns  are  to 


IV. 


GENERAL  BRADDOCK  S  ORDERLY  1500K. 


be  Remitted  weekly  to    His    Excellency,  Governoi- 
Dinwiddie.     The  Return  for  Genl   Braddock  to  be 
directed  to  me  at  the  head  Quarters, 
Williamsburg,  Feby.  26th,  1755. 

By  His  Excellency  Edward  Braddock,  Enq  : 

Whereas,  an  act  of  Parliament  was  passed  in  England,  the  last  Session,  to 
subject  ail  Troops  rp.^ed  in  the  Colonies  to  the  Regulations  and  Orders  of 
the  articles  of  Wai,  I  therefore  think  it  expedient  and  Order  ihat  upon 
forming  the  four  companies  of  Rangers,  the  company  of  carpeuters  and 
the  Troops  of  light  Horse  and  whatever  Troops  are  or  shall  be 
raised  for  the  service  of  the  present  Expedition.  That  the  articles  of  War 
be  publickly  read  to  the  Officers  and  men,  and  that  every  man  severaly  sliall 
tak e  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  and  supremacy;  and  in  consequence  of  these 
articles  they  are  to  obey  from  time  to  time  any  orders  they  shall  receive  from 
me  or  any  of  their  superior  Officeis. 

E.  BRADDOCK, 
By  His  Excel 'ys  Com'd. 

Feb'y.  26th,  1755.  Wil'm  Shirley,  Secret  y. 


By  His  Excellency  Edwird  Braddock,   Esq.,  Gen'l  Covitnander   in    Chief  oj 
His  Maj'ty  Forces  in  North  America,  Quarters  of  Sir  Peter  Halktts  Re;iim't: 

Orderd,  That  it  proceed  to  Alexandria  in  the  Transports;  tive  companies 
to  remain  in  tiie  Town  w'th  the  company  of  artillery  and  stores  of  all  kinds. 

One  comi)any  at  Dumfries,  two  days  march  from  .'ilexandria,  thirty 
miles  to  Halt  the  first  night  after  they  cross  the  Ferry  ot  Oeciiquan; 
One  company  at  Bladensburg,  one  days  marcli,  they  cross  the  Potomack 
at  Alexandria;  One  company  at  upper  Marlborroiigh  two  days  march 
first  night  at  Bladensburg;  Two  compauys  at  Fre(lericlc;  These  three 
last  cantonments  in  Maryland;  U|)ou  application  to  Major  Carlyl  luai^is- 
trate  of  Alexandria;  the  whole  will  be  furnished  with  Guides  Quarters 
of  one  Regiment,  The  Traiisj)or(s  w'ch  have  them  on  board  to  stop  in  the 
River  Potomack  as  near  Fredericksburg  as  they  can;  These  and  an  halt  com- 
pany at  Winchester,  six  days  march  from  Fredericksburg,  halt  a  company  at 
Conogogt'-  eight  days  from  Winchester;  six  conipanys  at  Fredericksburg  and 
Falmouth    •>.  the  other  side  the  River  of  Rap))ahannock, 

The  live  companys  of  the  Regiment  that  disembark  at  Alexandria  wlucli 
are  to  be  canton "d  to  be  landed  first  and  to  begin  their  march  before  the  otiier 
five  debark. 

The  Engineers  and  other  Ofiicers,  not  immediately  wanted  to  be  at  hand, 
may  be  conveniently  lodged  on  the  Maryland  side  of  the  Potomack  leaving  a 
direction  where  they  lodge 

A})plicatiou  is  to  be  made  to  the  several  magistrates  for  carriages  to  convey 
the  stores,  Baggage  and  Tents  oi  the  cantoned  companys  to  be  given  by  the 
commanding  titlicers  lor  the  numbers  employ'd. 

The  Regiment  wl^ose  head  (Quarters  ate  at  Fredericksburg,  will  halt  ab't 
15  miles  from  |)lace  (if  disembarking.  Waggons  will  be  ordered  to  attemi 
them.  Throe  compunvs  which  are  to  march  to  Winchester  and  Couogogec 
are  to  march  first  to  Friderieksburg.  The  compa  (^uarterd  at  Falmouth 
need  not  cross  the  Rappu.  vVaggon's  to  each  comi)a  to  be  assertained,  a  field 
Ollicer  to  go  with  each  of  the  five  coinpas  and  every  Officer  to  go  with  his 
com  pas. 

Given  under  my  hand  at  Williamsburg,  this  28ih  Febry,  1755. 

E.   BR.VDDoCK. 


^mmm 


DOK. 


GENERAL  BRADDOCK  S  ORDERLY  BOOK. 


V,  Governor 
idock  to  be 


the  last  Session,  to 
Ills  and   Orders  uf 

Order  iliat  upon 
of   carpeuters  ami 

are  or  shall  be 
he  articles  of  War 
luwn  severaly  shall 
isequenee  of  these 
•  shall  receive  from 

BRADDOCK, 

iiRLKY,  Secret  y. 


Hinder    in    Chief  oj 

Iff  Halkets  Re(jim't: 

>ns;  five  cmuimiiies 

litores  of  all  kinds. 

Alexandriii,  iliirty 

•\;rry  ot  OcciHiuan; 

;ross  the  Potoiudck 

1    two   tlays  uiarcii 

rick;    These   three 

ijor  Carlyl    mau'is- 

ji  Guides  tiuaiters 

jjoard  to  stop  iu  the 

ie  and  an  halt  eoiii- 

halt  a  company  at 

''redericksburg  and 

.  Alexaudria  which 
ich  before  the  other 

litcd  to  be  at  hand, 
*ot,oiuack  leaving  a 

Icarriages  to  convey 
be  given  by  th-- 

[urg.  will  halt  ati'i 
ordered  to  altenii 
Iter  and  Conogogee 
Itcrd  at  Falmouth 
lassertained,  a  tiel<l 
|Hcer  to  go  with  his 

, ,  1755, 
BR,\nD«»CK. 


Camp  at  Alexandria, 

Thursday  27th  March,  1755. 

Parole — Williamsburg. 

(Japt"  Robert  Orme  of  the  Coldstream  Reg't  of 
(aiards,  and  Capt"  Roger  Morris  of  Cols.  Dunbars 
Regiment  of  Foot,  are  appointed  aids  de  camp  to  His 
Excellency  Gen'  Braddock. 

His  Majesty   has  been  pleased   to  appoint  Capt 
Malket,  of  Sir    Peter    Ilalkets    Regiment;    Brigade 
Major. 

As  the  Troops  have  taken  the  Field  His  Excely. 
Gen'  Braddock  is  desirous  the  Officers  and  men  should 
be  informed  of  the  Duties  he  requires  of  them,  and 
of  some  Regulations  he  thinks  beneficial  to  the 
service:  and  as  the  two  Regiments  now  employed 
have  servd  under  the  command  of  His  Royal  High- 
ness and  are  well  acquainted  with  military  discipline, 
Ilis  Excellency  ex[)ects  their  conduct  will  be  so 
conformable  to  order  as  to  set  the  most  soldier  like 
example  to  the  new  Service  of  this  country;  and  the 
General  orders  that  the  articles  of  War  be  immedi- 
ately and  fre<piertly  read,  and  that  every  body  may 
be  informed  all  neglects  or  disobedience  of  them  or 
any  Orders  will  not  be  forgiven. 

Any  Soldier  who  shall  desert  tho'  he  return  again 
will  be  hanged  without  mercy. 

As  an  Incouragemcnt  to  the  men,  and  to  promote 
their  diligence  and  activity, every  man  will  be  allowed 
daily  as  much  of  fresh  or  salt  Provision,  and  of  Bread 
ur  Flower  without  any  stoppages  for  the  same  as 
long  and  in  as  great  pro])ortions  as  it  will  be  possible 
to  provide  them  unless  any  man  shall  be  found  drunk, 
negligent,  or  disobedient,  in  such  case  his  gratuity 
shall  be  stopped. 

All  Orders  relating  to  the  nien  are  constantly  to 
he  read  to  them  by  an  Officer  of  the  Company. 

The    eldest   captains  company   of    each    Regt   is 


VI. 


GENKKAL  HHADDOCK S  OUDEULY   HOOK. 


to  act  as  a  second  Circnadiors  company  and  to  be 
ported  uj)on  the  left  of  the  Battalion,  KMving  the 
same  Interval  a.s  the  Grenadiers  upon  the  Right; 
This  coni})any  is  to  be  kept  coni})k^at  of  Oflicers  and 
two  of  tlieni  as  well  as  of  the  other  Grenadier  company 
are  to  be  posted  in  the  Front  and  the  other  in  the 
Eear. 

The  eiglit  Battallian  companies  are  to  form  so 
many  Firings  and  to  be  commanded  by  their  re- 
spective Odicera.  The  commanding  Odicer  of  each 
company  is  to  give  the  word,  the  second  is  to  be  |)()ste(l 
in  the  center  of  the  Front  Raidv  and  the  remainin'' 
Subaltorn  Oflicers  of  the  Regiment  after  this  dispo- 
sition are  to  divide  the  ground  eijually:  Those 
Firings  are  to  begin  by  the  colonel's  company,  second 
by  the  I^ieu'  cob  and  continued  from  Right  to  lel't  a« 
fast  as  po.ssibly,  but  the  two  (Japt"^  of  Grenadiers  are 
to  take  particular  care  never  to  give  their  Fire  till 
the  company \s  upon  the  Right  and  left  are  loaded. 

To  avoid  confusion  if  tlie  Regiinent  should  he 
ordered  to  wheel  or  lire  by  Platoons,  every  Ollicer 
commanding  a  comi)any  is  to  tell  it  off  in  two  divisions 
and  to  i)ost  the  second  connnissiond  Oflicer  and  noii 
connnissioned  Ollicer's,  and  when  the  Regiment 
decamps  or  are  to  form,  the  connnanding  Ollicer  of  the 
com[)any  is  to  instruct  his  mens  arms,  compleat  the 
Files,  Post  the  Ollieers  and  see  his  men  IomcUmI  that 
they  may  wheel  up  and  ye  Battalion  be  instantly 
formed. 

The  Olticers  u|)on  a  march  are  to  remain  in  the 
same  Order  with  their  companies,  and  Those  Ollieers 
who  were  placed  in  the  Rear  are  to  march  as  posted 
which  will  conse([uently  be  upon  the  Flank  as  the 
Regiment  moves  by  Files  they  are  therefore  required 
to  keep  the  Soldiers  in  their  Files,  and  if  any  lag 
behind  one  or  more  of  these  Officers  is  to  briny;  them 


ui> 


l> 


Every  Oflicer  leaving  his  company  upon  a  inarch 


GENKKAL  imADDOCK  S  OUDKIU-Y  HOOK. 


VH. 


will  bo  casliiord,  and  every  eonimandini^  Officor  will 
bo  aiiHwerahlo  lor  the  iiion  of  his  company  loi't  lu'liind; 
and  the  conunanding  Oflicer  of  tlii'  lloginientH  are 
ordered  to  punish  vvitli  the  utmost  severity  any  soldier 
who  leaves  his  File  hut  in  cases  of  sickness. 

('ommanding  Oflicers  of  comjianies  are  to  have 
their  arms  in  constant  good  order,  and  every  man  to 
1)0  provided  with  a  Brush,  Picker,  two  good  spare 
Flints  and  24  (Cartridges. 

The  Roll  of  each  company  to  be  calld  by  a  com- 
missioned Ofllcor,  morning,  noon  and  night,  nnd  a 
return  of  the  absent  or  disorderly  men  to  be  given  to 
the  c(mmianding  Oflicer  of  the  Regiment  who  is  to 
order  proper  punishment. 

The  Women  of  each  Kegiment  are  to  march  with 
the  Provost  and  none  upon  any  acct  are  to  appear 
with  the  men  when  under  arms. 

Fiach  Regiment  is  to  mount  a  Piquet  (Uiard  con- 
sisting of  one  capt"  and  three  Subalterns  and  100 
men  to  bo  paraded  at  the  retreat  they  nvo  to  report 
to  the  Field  Oilioor  of  the  Day. 

The  two  Regiments  are  to  find  the  (lenls  CJuard 
alternately  consisting  of  one  Lieut,  and  thirty  Private 
and  rept)rt  to  an  aid  do  camp.  Tlie  Regiment  which 
finds  tlie  (^niard  fnids  also  the  adjutant  of  the  Day. 

All  (luards  are  to  be  retird  at  8  Oclock;  all  guards 
to  be  told  of  in  two  divisions  Tho'  ever  so  small. 

(Juards  ordi^red  at  Orderly  time  arc  to  remain  for 
that  duty  and  a  now  detachment  is  to  be  made  for 
any  orderd  afterwards. 

All  returns  are  to  be  signed  by  the  commanding 
OHicer  of  Roj^'iments.  Reports  of  all  Guards  except 
the  Generals  are  to  be  made  to  the  Field  Oflicer  of 
the  Day  who  is  to  visit  them  once  at  least  and  to  go 
the  piquet  rounds. 

All  remarkable  bccurrances  in  camp  to  be  reported 
to  an  aid  de  camp. 

Returns  of  all  commands  to  be  made  to  the  Brigavie 


VIII. 


GKNERAL  BHADDOCK  S  ORDERLY  B(X)K. 


Major,  and  every  Regiment,  company,  Troop,  &c., 
are  to  make  a  daily  return  to  him  specifying  the 
numbers  wjinting  to  com  pleat,  who  is  to  make  one 
Gener'  return  to  his  Excellency. 

A  daily  return  of  the  sick  is  to  be  made  to  the 
Gen'  thro'  an  aid  de  earnp. 

As  the  nature  of  the  country  make  it  impossible 
to  provide  magazines  of  Fonige,  and  as  it  is  appre- 
hended the  Quantity  will  be  very  small,  uncertain, 
and  difficult  to  be  procurd  hh  Excellency  recommends 
it  to  all  the  Officers  to  take  no  more  baggage  than 
they  find  absolute  occasion  for. 

Commanding  Officers  of  Regiments  are  directed  by 
His  Excellency  to  inform  their  men  not  to  suffer 
themselves  to  be  alarmed  upon  a  march  by  any 
stragling  Fires  from  the  Indians  in  the  woods,  they 
being  of  no  consequence  nor  liable  to  any  inconve- 
niences but  what  arise  from  their  misbehaviour. 
•  Any  Soldier  by  leaving  his  company,  or  by  words 
or  Gestures  expressing  Fear  shall  suffer  death  and 
the  Gen'  will  greatly  approve  and  properly  reward 
those  men  who  by  their  coolness  and  good  Discipline 
treat  the  attempt  of  these  Fellows  with  the  contempt 
they  deserve. 

The  Sergents  of  the  two  Regiments  are  to  be  pro- 
vided with  Firelocks  and  Bayonets,  but  to  wear  their 
Swords — They  are  to  leave  at  Winchester  under  the 
care  of  the  Train  their  Halters  and  all  the  private 
men  their  Swords.  His  Excellency  likewise  recom- 
mends it  to  all  the  Officers  to  provide  them  selves 
if  possible  with  Fuzeis,  as  Espontoons  will  be 
extreamely  inconvenient  and   useless  in  the  Woods. 

As  the  good  of  the  Service  renders  the  presence  of 
all  the  Officer's  absolutely  necessary  His  Excellency 
cannot  suffer  any  commissiond  Officer  to  act  as  pay- 
master, the  General  therefore  desires  the  colonels  and 
captains  will  agree  as  soon  as  possible  for  a  proper 
person  for  that  purpose. 


GENERAL  BRADDOCK  S  ORDERLY  BOOK. 


IX. 


made  to  the 


The  Line  is  to  find  one  Field  Officer  daily  to  be 
relieved  at  10  o'clock,  this  duty  to  be  done  by  the  two 
Lieut  col«  and  two  Majors,  the  Field  Officer,  is  to  visit 
all  the  Guards  except  the  Generals  a:id  to  go  the 
rounds  of  the  Piccjuet  which  as  well  as  other  Guards 
and  Posts  are  to  re})()rt  to  the  Field  Officer  and  he  is 
to  make  his  report  oty*"  whole  at  nine  o'clock  every 
morning  to  the  (ien'  and  in  case  of  any  alarm  the 
Field  Officer  is  to  repair  to  the  place  of  alarm  with 
all  expedition  and  to  send  for  all  necessary  assistance 
to  the  two  Regiments  who  are  immediately  to  comply 
with  his  Orders. 

All  rei)orts  and  returns  to  be  made  before  nine 
o'clock,  all  out  posts  are  to  receive  the  Gen'  with 
shoulderd  arms  and  without  beat  of  Drum  or  Salute. 

Upon  any  applicjition  from  S""  Jn"  St  Clair  Quarter 
Master  Gen'  for  Men  the  Regiments  are  immediately 
to  furnish  them. 

Sir  Peter  Ilalkett  is  to  be  applied  to  for  all  Regu- 
lations of  Provisions  and  his  Orders  are  to  be  strictly 
complied  with. 

All  Guards  are  to  rest  and  beat  two  Ruffles  to  his 
Honour  Governor  Dinwiddie. 

The  Regiments  are  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness 
for  a  muster,  each  company  is  to  provide  their  Rolls 
one  of  Parchment,  and  those  Officers  with  new  com- 
missions are  to  have  them  in  their  Pockets,  after  the 
muster  the  Geni  will  receive  the  two  Regiments  by 
Companys  the  Officers  to  be  in  B(>ots  and  the  men  in 
Brown  Gaters. 

The  adjutants  of  the  two  Regiments  and  artillery, 
and  also  the  adjutant  of  the  Rangers  to  be  at  the 
Major  of  Brigades  Tent,  every  day  at  eleven  o'clock 
to  receive  Order's. 

A  Surgeant  fnmi  the  two  Regiments  Artillery  and 
Rangers  to  attend  the  Major  of  Brigade  as  Orderly, 
and  to  be  relieved    every  day  at  Guard  Mounting. 

The  Gentlemen  of  the  Hospital  and  their  Ser- 
3 


GENERAL  BRADDOCK  S  ORDERLY  BOOK. 


vants  are  to  receive  to  morrow  three  Days  Provisions. 
Field  Officers  for  the  Day  Lieut  Colo  Gage. 


Alexandria,  March  28th,  1755. 
Parole — Albemarle. 

The  Generals  Guard  to  be  mounted  in  Brown 
Gater's,  and  the  Officers  in  Boots. 

Sir  Peter  Halkets  Col"  Dunbar's  and  the  Royal 
Regiment  of  Artillery  are  to  be  mustered,  on  Monday 
morning  at  seven  o'clock,  and  afterwards  they  will 
be  received  by  Gen'  Brjiddock. 

Robert  Webster  of  Sir  Peter  Halkets  Regim'  is 
appointed  Provoest  Marshall  and  he  is  to  be  obeyd 
accordingly. 

One  Sergeant ;  one  Corporal  and  twelve  men  to 
mount  as  a  Guard  for  the  Provost  Marshal  and  be 
relieved  every  48  Hours. 

The  Adjutant  who  does  not  send  in  his  return  to 
the  Major  of  Brigade,  by  seven  o'clock  in  the  morning 
will  be  orderd  under  an  arrest. 

The  Quarter  master  of  the  Corps  which  is  to  receive 
provisions  is  to  give  to  the  Commissary  a  signed 
Return  of  the  number  he  is  to  draw  Provisions  for 
every  Saturday  at  six  in  the  afternoon  :  The  Quarter 
masters  of  the  different  Corps  are  to  give  into  Sir 
Peter  Halkets  a  return  of  the  Provisions  they 
delivered  out  that  week,  distinguishing  the  quantitys 
deliverd  each  Corps ;  In  this  return  he  is  to  have 
Colums  for  the  quantitys  of  each  species  of  Provision's 
he  has  receivd  that  week  and  a  Column  for  the 
Quantitys  remaining  in  Store. 

To  morrow  at  Orderly  time  the  Adjutants  are  to 
deliver  in  a  return  of  the  number  of  Serv*^  who  are 
not  Soldiers  and  for  whom  Provisions  are  to  be  drawn 
for ;  The  Commissary  are  to  make  two  Copy's  of 
this  return,  one  for  Geni  Braddock,  the  other  for  Sir 
Peter  Halkett. 

Field  Officer  to  morrow  Lieu^  Colo  Burton. 
For  the  Gen^s  Guard   48  th  Regiment. 


GENERAL  BRADDOCK  S  ORDERLY  BOOK. 


XI. 


d  in  Brown 


:s  Reffim'   is 


One  of  the  Orderly  Sergeants  or  the  Major  of 
Brigade  is  to  carry  the  Orders  to  Sir  John  St.  Clair. 

A  General  Court  Martial  consisting  of  one  Field 
Officer,  Six  ('aptains  and  Six  Subalterns,  to  sit  to 
morrow  morning  at  8  o'clock. 

Lt  Cob  Cage,  President.  Sir  Peter  Halkett  gives 
3  Capf's  and  3  Subalterns ;  Col"  Dunbar  gives  3 
Capt"s  and  3  Subalterns.  Mr.  Shirley  Judge  Ad- 
vocate ;  The  Picquet  to  consist  of  one  Capt",  two 
Subalterns  and  fifty  men  till  further  Orders.  No 
Officer,  Soldier  or  any  other  Person  to  Fire  a  Gun 
within  a  mile  round  the  Camp. 


Cami'At  Alexandria,  March  29th,  1755. 
Parole — Boston. 

For  the  General  Guard  44th  Regiment. 

The  alarm  Post  for  all  the  Virginian  Troops 
Quarterd  in  the  Town  of  Alexandria  to  be  before  the 
march. 

When  any  man  is  sent  to  the  General  Hospital  he 
is  to  bring  a  certificate  signed  by  an  Officer,  of  his 
name.  Regiment  and  Company,  to  what  day  he  is 
subsisted,  and  what  arms  and  acoutrements  he  brings 
with  him.  The  arms  and  accoutrements  to  be 
bundled  up,  and  marked,  with  the  mans  name  and 
Company 

Cob  Dunbars  Regiment  to  morrow  to  receive  three 
days  provisions. 

On  Sunday  every  Regiment  in  Camp,  is  to  have 
divine  service  at  the  Head  of  their  Colours. 

AFTER   ORDERS. 

Each  Regiment  to  send  to  the  train  for  twenty 
Thousand  Flints  out  of  which  number,  they  are  to 
pick  five  thousand,  and  to  send  the  remainder  back 
again  ;  The  Commanding  Officers  giving  their  receipts 
for  what  number's  they  receive. 


XII. 


GENERAL  BHAUDOCK S  ORDERLY  HOOK. 


All  the  Virginia  Troops  that  aro  Quartered  in 
Alexandria  to  he  under  arms,  to  morrow  morning  at 
half  an  hour  after  seven  o'clock. 

The  Officers  that  were  formerly  apixiinted  Pay 
masters,  to  continue  so  till  further  Orders  and  are  to 
issue  out  in  payment  to  tlie  Tro()i)s,  each  a  Dollar  at 
4«|9«8hirg. 

When  either  Regiment  have  occasion  for  Ammu- 
nition, or  aay  Military  Stores  the  Commanding 
Officers  are  to  send  to  the  Artillery  when  they  will 
be  supplied  giving  their  receipts  accordingly. 

The  General  Court  Martial  where  of  Lieut 
Colo  Gage  was  President .  is  dissolv'd,  and  James 
Anderson  of  Col"  Dunbar's  Regiment  who  was  tryod 
by  ye  General  Court  Martial  is  orderd  1,000  lashes 
with  a  Cat  and  Nine  Tails  which  he  is  to 
receive  in  such  manner  as  the  Commanding  Officer 
shall  think  proper. 

Field  Officer  for  to  morrow,  L^  Col^  Gage 


Camp  at  Alexandria,  30th  March,  1755. 
Parole — "C  hichester." 

The  two  Regiments  are  to  be  musterd  to  morrow 
morning  at  seven  O'clock  but  the  General  will  not 
receive  the  Troops  till  further  Orders. 

The  two  Regiments  from  Ireland  are  to  acct  for 
their  men  for  their  Sea  pay  giving  them  credit  for 
their  subsistance  to  the  first  of  March  and  for  their 
Arms  to  the  24th  of  Feby ;  The  Captains  are  to  take 
credit  for  their  Watch  Coats,  Blankets  and  Flannell 
waistcoats  brought  from  Great  Britain  for  their 
Companys. 

The  men  listed  or  incorporated  into  Sir  Peter 
Halketts,  and  colo  Dunbar's  Regiment  are  to  have 
credit  for  twenty  Shillings  and  to  be  chargd  with  the 
above  mentiond  necessarys  His  Excellency  orders 
this  to  be  taken  from  the  recruiting  Fund,  and  gives 


GENEKAL  HKADDOCK  S  ()1U)EHLY  lU)OK, 


XIU. 


it  to  those  men  for  their  Incouragement  that  they 
may  do  tlieir  (hity  like  good  Soldiers. 

The  first  company  of  carpenters  are  to  march  to 
morrow  morning  to  Sir  John  St  Clair  for  further 
Order's. 

A  Return  to  be  sent  to  morrow  morning  to  Sir 
Jn"  St  Clair  from  Sir  Peter  Iljdketts  aiid  (Jol"  Dun- 
bars  Regiments  of  the  number  of  Draughts  they  have 
receivd  by  whom  they  were  enlisted  and  from  what 
companys  draughted. 


Camp  at  Alexandria,  31st  of  March,  1755. 
■   Parole  -Darlington. 

Field  Officer  for  to  morrow,  Lt  Col'>  Burton. 
For  the  Generals  Guard  44th  Regiment. 

All  casualties  or  occurrances  that  happen  in  camn 
to  be  reported  i  nmediately  to  the  Gen'  through  an 
aid  de  camp. 

Whenever  Sir  John  St  Clair  has  occasion  for  arti- 
ficers Tools,  or  Implements  he  is  to  apply  to  the 
commissary  of  the  Train,  who  will  supply  him  with 
what  he  demands  takin  ^  his,  or  his  assistants  receipts 
for  the  same. 

The  Officers  to  provide  themselves  with  Bat  Plorses 
as  soon  as  possible. 

The  artillery  to  have  their  men  upon  the  Wharf 
every  morning  at  6  O'clock  precisely  to  send  their 
Stores  &c  and  care  must  be  taken  that  they  have 
their  Waggons  at  the  Wharf  exactly  at  the  same  time 
that  their  may  be  no  delay  one  Sergant  and  12  men 
from  the  two  Regiments  to  march  immediately  to 
the  Wharf  in  order  to  assist  the  Artillery  in  the 
Landing  of  their  Stores  this  party  to  be  reliev'd  every 
morning  and  to  be  on  the  Wharf  precisely  at  6 
Oclock.  _ 

Sir  Peter  Halkets  Regiment  receives  three  days 
provisions  to  morrow. 


XIV.  GENKUAL  BKAniX)CK  S  ORDERLY  BOOK, 

Camp  at  Alexandria,  April  Ist,  1755. 

Parole — Esse. 

Field  Oflicer  lor  to  morrow 

For  the  Generals  (luard  48th  Regiment. 
Col"    DunbarH   Regiment  to   receive    three     Days 
Provisions. 

The  two  Reg"  are  to  send  to  artily  for  1  Do/"  of 
cart'*  made  up  with  Rail  in  order  to  try  if  they  will 
fit  the  men's  Firelocks. 


Cami'  at  Alexandria,  April  2d,  1755. 

Parole —  Farn  h  am . 

Field  Officer  for  to  morrow  Maj'"  Chapman. 
For  the  Generals  (luard  44th  Regiment. 

The  Artillery  and  Hospital  receive  three  days  pro- 
vision to  morrow. 

The  two  Re<>iments  are  to  apply  to  the  Train  for 
Paper,  Powder  &  Ball  sufficient  to  compleat  every 
man  with  24  rounds  which  are  to  be  made  up,  and 
distributed  as  soon  as  ])ossible. 

The  commanding  Officers  of  company's  are  desird 
to  give  particular  directions  to  their  men  to  be  careful 
of  their  Amumnition  and  to  inform  them  thev  will 
be  very  severly  punishd  for  any  abuse  or  neglect  of 
it,  and  the  Officer's  of  company's  who  calld  the 
Evening  Rolls  are  to  inspect  the  Ammunition  of 
their  several  companys  and  to  report  the  defficiencys 
to  the  commanding  Officers  of  the  Regiments  who  arc 
desird  by  his  Excellency  to  keep  them  compleat  with 
24  Rounds. 

His  Excellency  General  Braddock  Orders  that  the 
Soldiers  should  be  told  that  any  man  who  upon  a 
march  by  fiistning  his  Tent  Pole,  or  by  any  other 
means  incumbers  his  Fire  lock,  shall  be  immediately 
and  most  severely  punished. 

One  corporal  and  eight  men  of  the  Line  to  attend 


GENERAL  BKADIXXIK  S  OUDEKLY  HOOK. 


XV. 


at  6  Oclock  every  morning,  to  assist  the  Engineers  in 
Surveying. 

Tlie  Artillery,  Hospital  and  Engineers  to  receive 
three  days  provisions  to  morrow. 

AFTER  ORDERS. 

One  Sergant  one  (.'orporal,  and  twenty  men  of  the 
Line  without  arms  to  March  to  the  Wharf  immedi- 
ately to  assist  in  disembarking  the  artillery. 

The  Virginia  Troops  as  appointed  to  the  particular 
Regiments. 

Sir  Peter  Ilalkets. 
Capt"  SUiphen      ^     l^"^    f  Company 
Capt"  Peyroimy    >    A    <         of 
Capt"  Cock  J     6      (  Rangers. 

Col"  Dunbars  Regt. 
Capt"  Waggoner  ^    i)     (  Company 
('apt"  Hogg  /-   5^*1  <  of  Rangers 

Capt"  Poison        J    2''    (Comp'^  of  Artificers. 
Sir   Peter  Halketts  and  Col"  Dunbars  Regiments 
to  find   three  Corporals  one  for  each    Company    of 
Rangers   to   assist    Lieu"^  AUayne  in  the  dissiplining 
the  Troops. 


Camp  at  Alexandria,  April  3d,  1755. 

Parole — Canterbury. 

Field  Officer  to  morrow  Lt  Col''  Burton. 
For  the  Generals  Guard  48th  Regiment. 
The    Generals  Guard    is  this  day    reduced  to   a 
Corporal  and  nine  men  and  the  Corporal  is  to  report 
to  the  Officer  of  the  main  Guard. 

Sir  Peter  Halkets  Regiment    to  receive  three  days 
Provisions  to  morrow. 


Camp  at  Alexandria,  4th  of  April,  1755. 

Parole — Dorsett. 

Field  Officer  to  morrow  Major  Sparke. 
For  the  Generals  Guard  44th  Regim*. 


'At 


XVI. 


GENERAL  15 HADDOCK  S  ORDERLY  BOOK. 


1^ 


Colo  Dunbars  Regiment  to  have  one  Corporal  and 
six  men  ready  to  march  to  morrow  at  G  o'clock  from 
Alexandria  to  Frederick  with  the  Hospital  stores  they 
are  to  carry  six  days  Provisions  with  them  and  to 
take  the  Arms  and  accoutrem'''  with  which  they  are 
to  take  the  field  P^ach  man  to  have  his  Blanckct  and 
29  ronnds  of  Ammun". 

Col"  Dnnbars  Regiment  to  have  three  days 
provisions  to  morrow. 

Alexandrl\,  Saturday,  April  5th,  1755. 

Parole — London. 

Field  Officer  to  morrow  L'  Col'>  Burton. 

For  the  Generals  Guard  48th  Regirnt. 

The  Tents  and  clothing  for  the  Virginia  (Company 

to  be  brought    on   shore    as  soon  as  possible  ;    Their 

tents  are  to  be  pitched    the    first  fair  day  after  they 

are  on  shore. 

The  Artillery  Hospital  and  Engineers  to  receive 
three  days  provisions  to  morrow. 


Alexandria,  April  6th,  1755. 

Parole — K  i  n  sale . 

Field  Officer  for  to  morrow  Maj''  Cliapman. 
For  the  Generals  Guard  44th  Regiment. 

All  Departments  for  Duty  of  every  nature  what- 
ever are  to  parade  at  the  Grand  Parade  and  to  march 
from  thence,  Detachments  from  different  corps  to 
draw  up  by  Seniority. 

The  Grand  Parade  for  this  camp  is  appointed  to  be 
at  the  head  of  oir  Peter  Halketts  Regiment. 

A  report  to  be  made  every  morning  to  Sir  Peter 
Halkets,  of  the  Sergeants,  Corporals,  Drummers  and 
Private  men  who  are  Drunk  upon  Duty,  the  Sergeants 
of  the  Companies  they  belong  to,  to  keep  an  exact 
Roll  of  their  names,  Sir  Peter  Halkett  being  deter- 
mined to  put  a  stop  to  any  more  prov"**  being  drawn 


GENERAL  BRADDOCK  S  ORDERLY  BOOK. 


XVII. 


eers  to  receive 


tor  such  men.  Sergeants,  (Corporals.  Drummers,  and 
Private  m"\i  who  apjiear  Drunk  in  Camp  tho  they 
are  not  upon  duty  will  have  tlieir  provisions  stop'd 
I'or  one  week. 

Sir  Peter  Halketts  Regiment  to  receive  three  days 
Provisions  to  morrow. 

The  Detachments  from  the  Ordinary  Dutys  of 
camp  to  change  from  Right  to  left  every  Day. 

AFTER    ORDERS. 

One  Sergant,  one  Corporal,  and  thirty  men  are  to 
morrow  at  0  o'clock  in  the  morning,  to  go  to  Alexan- 
dria to  assist  the  Officers  of  the  Artillery  in  loading 
the  Waggons  for  Winchester  and  Shipping  of  Stores 
for  Rock  Creek  One  Officer  and  thirty  men  from 
(vol"  Dunbar's  Regiment  to  march  to  morrow  for  Rock 
Creek  The  Officer  to  call  this  night  upon  Sir  Peter 
Halkett  who  will  give  him  his  Instructions. 


Alexan;)Rta,  Monday  April  7th,  1755. 

Parole — Dublin. 

Field  Otlicer  for  to  morrow  1/  Col"  Burton. 
For  the  Generals  Guard  48tli  Regim'. 

One  Officer  one  Sergeant  and  20  men  of  Sir  Peter 
llalkets  Rciiiment  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to 
morrow  morning  to  march  to  Winchester  the  Officer 
at  Retreat  beating  to  call  upon  Sir  Peter  Plalkett  for 
his  Instructions;  They  are  to  take  six  days  provisions 
with  them,  subsistance  to  the  24th  of  this  month 
and  every  thing  with  which  thev  are  to  take  the 
Field. 

Every  Party  ordered  to  march  from  camp  is  to 
have  24  Rounds  per  man. 

A  Greater  number  of  Women  having  been  brought 
over  than  those  allowed  by  the  Government  sufficient 
for  washing  with  a  view  that  the  Hospital  might  be 
sorvd;  and  complaint  being  made  that  a  concert  is 
(Miterd  into  not  to  serve  with  out  exorbitant  Wages 
3 


i 


XVIII. 


GENERAL  HKADDOCK  S  ORDERLY  BOOK. 


a  Return  will  be  calld  for  of  those  who  vshall  refuse  to 
serve  for  six  pence  per  day  and  their  Provisions  that 
they  may  be  turnd  out  of  camp  and  others  got  in 
their  places. 
Col"  DunbarsRegt  is  to  rec.  3  Days  Prov"  to  morrow. 

Col"  Dunbar's  Regiment  is  to  march  at  5  Oclock  on 
Saturday  Morning  for  Rock  Creek. 

Waggons  will  be  ordered  on  Friday  to  carry  the 
baggage  and  whatever  Tents  may  be  struck  to  the 
Boats  destend  for  their  Transportation  and  at  Day 
break  on  Saturday  morning  Waggons  will  attend  at 
the  head  of  the  Regiment  for  the  mens  Tents  &c. 

A  Subaltern  Officer  with  three  Sergeants  three 
(Jorporals  and  thirty  men  are  to  be  sent  on  board  the 
Boats  as  a  Baggage  Guard,  and  this  Guard  is  to 
assist  in  conveying  the  Tents  &c  to  the  Boats  and  to 
help  in  putting  them  on  board. 

All  the  Boats  upon  that  part  of  the  River  near 
Rock  (Jreek  are  ordered  to  attend  to  cary  the  Troop 
over. 

The  sick  men  that  are  not  able  to  march  with  the 
Regiment,  to  be  left  in  the  General  Hospital. 

AFTER  ORDERS. 

As  Col"  Dunbars  Regimt  is  to  march  on  Saturday, 
they  are  to  receive  to  morrow  nine  days  Provisions 
one  for  to  morrows  use  and  the  remaining  8  days  the 
men  are  to  carry  with  them. 

The  four  companys  of  Sir  Peter  Halketts  Regiin' 
the  Royal  Regt  of  artillery  Engineers  and  the  Hos- 
pital are  to  continue  to  receive  their  provisions  as 
usual  till  further  Orders. 

March  Rout  of  Col"  Dunbars  Regiment  from  the 
camp  at  Alexandria  to  Frederick  in  Maryland. 

MILES. 

To  Rock  Creek  — 

To  Owens  Ordinary 15 

To  Dowden's  Ordinary 15 

To  Frederick 15 

45 


I 


GENERAL  BRADDOCK's  ORDERLY  ROOK 


XIX. 


Within  a  few  miles  of  the  Minocasy    cross    the 
Minocasy  in  a  Float. 


Alexandria,  Tuesday,  April  8th,  1755. 
'     Parole — Guilford. 
Field  Oflicer  for  to  morrow  Maj''  Sparke. 
For  the  Generals  Guard  44th  Regim'. 

The  Quarter  Masters  of  Sir  Peter  Halketts  and 
Col"  Dunbars  Regiments  to  meet  Mr.  Leslie  assistant 
Quarter  master  General  this  afternoon  at  4  Oclock 
who  will  show  them  their  Regimental  Store  Houses. 

The  Commanding  Officer's  of  each  of  the  Regim'  as 
soon  as  their  Regimental  Store  Houses  are  fixed  are 
to  order  their  Officers  baggage  and  their  mens  Stores 
to  be  immediately  lodgd. 

The  Soldiers  are  to  leave  their  Shoulder  Belts, 
Waist  Belts  and  hangers  behind  and  only  to  take 
with  them  to  the  Field  one  spare  shirt,  one  spare 
pair  of  stockings,  one  spare  pair  of  Shoes  and  one 
pair  of  Brown  Gater's. 

For  the  future  the  Generals  own  and  all  other 
Guards  are  to  beat  a  march  to  him  and  the  Line  is 
always  to  turn  out  when  the  General  passes. 

As  a  mistake  has  happend  in  regard  to  the  Com- 
missions of  the  youngest  Subaltern  of  the  Rangers; 
The  Conunissious  of  Second  Lieut  being  deliverd  to 
them  instead  of  Ensigns  are  to  be  immediately 
changd  to  avoid  any  Liconvenience,  which  may 
arise  from  disrules  of  Rank. 

His  Excellency  Gen'  Braddock  Orders  that  all 
Ensigns  bearing  Commissions  in  any  of  his  Majestys 
Regiments  shall  take  post  of  the  third  Officer  in  any 
of  the  Companysof  Ranger's. 

after  orders. 

Six  Companys  of  Sir  Peter  Halketts  Regiment  are 
to  march  for  Winchester  at  6  o'clock  on  thursday 
morning ;  Upon  your  arrival  at  Rock  Creek  you  are 


XX. 


GENERAL    UKADDOCK  S  OKDEULV  B(K)K. 


either  to  Encamp  or  lodge  your  Men  as  you  Hhall 
find  most  convenient  and  as  fast  as  the  Waggons 
arrive  you  are  to  employ  them  in  the  Service  of 
y«  Regiment  and  Regulate  your  Detachment'**  ac- 
cordingly and  to  be  particul.arly  earei'ul  not  to  use 
any  more  Waggons    than     are  absolutely  necessary. 

You  are  to  leave  at  Rock  (Jreek  an  Officer  and  .')() 
men  who  is  to  remain  there  till  all  the  Stores  of  the 
Train  and  Hospital  are  put  into  the  Waggons  is  then 
to  march  and  form  the  Rear  Guard  of  the  whole. 

You  are  also  to  leave  at  R(jck  Creek  a  Subaltern 
and  'JiO  men  who  are  to  wait  there  till  the  arrival  of 
M*".  .Johnston  the  Paymaster  and  to  Escort  him  to 
Frederick. 

You  will  be  joined  at  Rock  ('reek  bv  an  Officer 
and  oO  Seamen  who  you  are  to  take  under  your 
connnand  and  give  them  your  Orders  and  Regulations 
as  they  will  want  some  conveyance  for  their  baggage 
you  will  dispose  of   it    as  you  find  most  ctmvenient. 

Upon  your  arrival  at  Frederick  you  are  to  encamp 
your  men  the  Troops  to  remain  there  till  further 
Orders  except  a  (Japt",  two  Subalterns  and  50  men 
who  are  to  be  sent  immediately  on  to  Conogogee  as 
a  covering  Party  for  the  magazines  and  you  are  to 
direct  the  CVnunanding  Ofllcer  of  this  Detach^  to  stop 
all  Waggons  which  shall  br^'  in  Flower,  &c,  from 
Pennsylvania  and  to  send  a  daily  to  you  of  the 
numbers  which  return  you  are  to  remit  to  me  unless 
you  should  see  Sir  Jn"  St.  (Jlair  and  that  he  should 
have  securd  a  sufficient  number  for  Transporting  the 
Stores  from  Frederick  to  Wills  (Jreek  in  such  case  the 
Waggons  are  to  be  dismissd. 

You  will  find  provisions  at  Frederick  which  yon 
are  to  issue  to  your  men  in  the  same  proportions  as 
at  Alexandria  and  to  begin  upon  it  as  soon  as  you 
have  expended  the  Provisions  car*!  with  you. 

You  are  to  direct  your  Officers  to  provide  them- 
selves as  soon    as  possible  with    Bat   Horses  as  no 


GENERAL  BRADOOCK  S  ORDEliLY  BOOK. 


XXI. 


aa  you  shall 
the  Waggons 
le  Service  of 
achnieiit''^  ac- 
Vil  not  to  use 
ly  necessary. 
)iricer  and  .'')0 
Stores  oi"  the 
.y-y-ons  is  then 

Do 

lie  whole. 
V  a  Subaltern 
the  arrival  of 
Cscort  him   to 

bv  «'in  Ofticer 
^e  under  your 
id  Regulations 
their  baggago 
St  convenient, 
ire  to  encamp 
re   till  lurther 
and  50  men 
Conogogee  as 
id  you  are  to 
vtach'  to  stop 
,ver,  &c,  iroin 
to  you  of  the 
to  me  unless 
Ihat  he  should 
[insporting  the 
such  case  the 

\k  which  you 
iroportions  as 
|s  soon  as  you 
111  you. 

brovide  them- 
Horses  as  no 


more    Waggons  will  be    allowd    after    they    get  to 
Frederick. 


Alexandria,  Wednesday,  April  9th,  1755. 
Parole — Henry. 
Field  Onicer  for  to  morrow  L'  Col"  Gage. 
For  the  Generals  Guard  48th  Regimt. 

Col"  Dunbars  Rej|inient  to  send  this  ibrenoon  two 
Sergeants  and  twenty  men  to  Rock  Creek  to  reinforce 
the  Officer  there. 

A  return  to  be  given  in  this  Day  of  the  two 
Regiments  specifying  all  extraordinary's  that  have 
happened  since  their  embarking  in  Ireland  a  monthly 
return  of  the  two  Regiments  to  be  given  in  to  Gen- 
eral Braddock  every  first  day  of  the  month — The 
coinpanys  of  Rangers  Artificers  and  the  Troop  of 
light  Horse  are  to  give  in  a  monthly  return  at  the 
same  time:  They  are  to  apply  to  the  Major  of 
Brigade,  who  will  shew  them  the  proper  form. 

The  Officers  to  see  that  their  men  are  provided  as 
soon  as  possible  with  Bladder  or  thin  Leather  to  put 
between  the  Lining  and  crown  of  their  Ilatts  to  guard 
against  the  Heat  of  the  Sun. 

One  Subaltorn  Officer  of  Dunbars  Regiment  to 
march  to  morrow  morning  to  Frederick  in  Mary- 
land who  upon  his  arrival  is  immediately  to  take 
upon  him  the  command  of  the  several  Detachments 
of  the  Regiment  that  are  now"  there  or  may  arrive 
and  he  is  to  see  y'  they  are  properly  provided  and 
Subsisted. 

Alexandria,  Thursday,  1 0th  April,  1755. 
Parole — Winchester. 

A  Detachment  from  the  two  Regiments  of  a  Subal- 
tern, twQ  Sergeants,  two  Corporals  and  20  men  is  to 
remain  at  Alexandria  as  a  Guard  for  the  Hospital 
and  to  march  with  it  to  Frederick. 


XXII. 


GENERAL  BRADDOCK  S  ORDERLY  BOOK. 


The  Generals  Guard  is  to  be  taken  off  on  Friday. 

A  Sergeant  and  twelve  men  of  Colo  Dunbars  Regi- 
ment to  mount  as  the  Generals  Baggage  Guard  and 
to  March  with  it. 

The  Provost  Marshall  is  to  March  with  Col"  Dun- 
bar's Regiment  and  to  have  a  guard  of  a  Sergeant 
and  ten  men  who  is  to  make  the  rear  of  the  whole. 

Two  Officers  and  forty  men  of  the  four  remaining 
companies  o^"  Sir  Peter  Halketts  Regem^  is  to  mount 
the  Town  Guard  till  further  Orders. 


Alexandria,  Friday,  April  11th,  1755. 

Parole —  Kendall 

The  Officer  of  the  Town  Guard  to  make  his  report 
to  the  General  through  an  Aid  de  Camp. 

AFTER  ORDERS. 

Colo  Dunbars  Regimen"^  to  hold  themselves  in 
readiness  but  not  to  march  till  further  Orders. 

They  are  to  give  their  proportion  of  men  for  the 
Guard  to  morrow  ;  one  Sergeant,  one  Corporal  and  12 
men  to  parade  immediately  at  the  Town  Guard  of 
Col"  Dunbars  Regiment. 

They  are  to  take  their  Knapsacks,  Hav^ersacks, 
and  provisions  with  them,  when  they  come  to  the 
Town  Guard  the  Sergeant  is  to  enquire  for  M"".  Leslie 
assistant  Quarter  master  who  will  give  him  Order's. 

No  Person  whatever  to  press  or  employ  any 
Waggons  without  an  Order  from  General  Braddock 
the  Quarter  master  Gen'  or  his  assistant. 

This  Order  to  be  read  not  only  to  the  Soldiers  but 
to  the  Officers,  Servants  and  followers  of  the  Army 
as  any  one  who  shall  be  found  guilty  of  disobeying 
it  shall  be  severely  punish'd. 

AFTER  ORDERS. 

As  there  are  Boats  provided  to  carry  Co\^  Dunbars 
Regiments  Baggage  to  Rock  Creek  the  former  orders 
relative  to  their  march  to  be  obeyd. 


GENERAL  BlIADDOCK  S  ORDERLY  BOOK. 


XXIII. 


Eight  Waggons  will  be  orderd  to  be  at  the  head 
of  that  Regiment  on  Wednesday  night  for  the  Tents, 
Baggage,  &c.  of  those  Companys  application  is  to  be 
made  to  M""  Leslie  assistant  Quarter  master  for  a 
proper  Guide ;  Every  man  is  to  receive  8  Days 
Provisions  to  carry  with  him.  The  Lt  Col"  is  to  be 
left  with  the  8  remaining  Companys  till  farther 
Order's. 

All  the  sick  are  to  be  left  in  the  Gcmeral  Hospital. 

The  Regiments  find  the  Generals  Guard  as  usual 
and  the  proportion  of  Duty  is  to  be  made  up  by 
Col"  Dunbars  Regiment  in  the  Town  and  other 
Guards. 

March  Rout  of  Sir  Peter  Halketts  Regiment  from 
the  Camp  at  Alexandria  to  Winchester. 

MILES. 

To  y f-  old  Court  House 18 

To  M'"  Colemaiis  on  Sugar  Land   Run  were  |       ^^ 

there  is  Indian    Corn,    &c  j 

To    Mr  Miners ; 15 

To  M''  Thompson  y' Quaker  w'*  y  is  3000  wtcorn  12 

ToM'They's  1 7  y"  Ferry  of  Shan"  12  17 

From  M'  They's  to  Winchester 2o 

07 

If  the  Bridge  should  not  be  laid  over  the  Opeckon 
Canves  will  be  provided  for  the  Troops. 

As  soon  as  the  Artillery  arrives  at  Winchester  a 
Detachment  of  their  Regiment  and  what  ever  part 
you  shall  judge  proper  of  the  Rangers  must  be  orderd 
to  march  with  the  Artillery  to    Wills  Creek. 

But  if  the  road  should  be  cut  from  the  bridge  on 
the  Opeckon  to  Bear  Garden  and  is  made  passable 
for  y"  Artillery,  It  is  then  to  go  along  that  Road  and 
not  by  Winchester  and  your  Detachment  from  Win- 
chester must  join  them  at  Henry  Enochs ,    A 

Report  will  be  made  to  you  whether  this  road  is 
passable  or  not. 

As  the  Removal  of  the  Troops    from   Winchester 


XXIV. 


GENERAL  RRADDOCK  S  ORDERLY  BOOK. 


to  Wills  Creek  must  depond  upon  the  Quantity  of 
Flower  that  \h  to  bo  sent  I'roni  Pennnylvania  when  a 
proper  Quantity  is  arrivd  you  shall  receive  advice 
of  it. 


Alexandria.  Saturday,  April  I'ith,  1755. 

Parole — Leicester. 

One  Company  of  Sir  Peter  Ilalketts  Kei^ini'to  March 
to  morrow  Morning,  they  are  to  Parade  opposite  to 
the  town  Guard  at  G  oclock  where  they  will  lx\joind 
by  five  Waggons  belonging  to  the  Artillery,  which 
they  are  to  take  under  their  Escort  to  Winchester. 

The  Town  Guard  to  be  reduced  to  morrow  morning 
to  one  Subaltorn  Officer  and  thirty  men. 

Mr  Leslie  will  take  care  that  there  shall  Ix^  at  Sir 
Peter  Halketts  Quarter  Guard  this  al'ternoon  -•>  Wag- 
gons, one  for  the  (Jompanys  Tents  and  Baggage  and 
the  other  two  are  to  carry  ye  Regiments  spare  arms 
and  Stores. 

The  Men  are  to  take  eight  Days  Provisions  with 
them. 


Alexandria,  Sunday.  April  13th,  1755. 


Parole — Marlborough. 


Alexandria,  Monday,  April  14th,  1755. 
Parole — Oxford . 


Alexandria,  Tuesday,  April  15th,  1755. 


Parole — Petersborough. 


Alexandria,  Wednesday,  April  IGth,  1755. 
Parole — Rochester. 


Thursday,  April  17th,  1755. 
Parole  —Queen  Town. 


GENERAL  nKADnOCK  R  ORDERLY  mK)K. 


XXV. 


its  spare  arms 
•ovisions  witli 


Friday,  April  18th,  1755. 
Parole — Salisbury. 


Saturday,  April  10th,  1755. 

Parole — Tamworth . 

The  commanding  Officer  of  the  Artillery  to  apply 
to  Mr.  Leslie  for  a  Store  House  to  lodge  their  new 
cloathing  in,  and  the  Officers  are  to  see  that  their 
men  comply  with  the  Orders  of  the  8'''  of  Ap'  (viz) 
to  leave  their  Shoulder  Belts  waist  Belts  and  Ilangera 
behind,  and  are  only  to  take  with  them  to  the  field 
one  spare  shirt  one  spare  pair  of  stockings  one  spare 
pair  of  shoes  and  one  pair  of  brown  Gaters. 


FRKm:RiCK,  Monday,  April  21st,  1755. 
Parole — Dunbar. 


Fkedeuick,  Tuesday,  April  '22nd,  1755. 

Parole — Westminster. 

One  Sergeant  one  Corpt)ral  and  12  men  to  parade 
immediately  at  the  Town  (luard  to  March  with  the 
Waggons  laden  with  Artillery  Stores  to  Conogogee 
and  to  return  back  with  the-  Wajjffon's  to  Frederick 
as  soon  as  thev  are  unloaded. 


oc^ 


Fuedekkjk,  Wednesday,  April  23rd,  1755. 
Parole  Exeter. 

The  commanding  Officers  of  Regiments  to  order 
their  Officers  to  provide  themselves  as  soon  as  possi- 
ble with  Bat  men  out  of  such  recruite  and  Levies,  as 
are  unfit  to  the  Duty  to  do  the  of  sold*'""  and  such 
men  are  to  be  enlisted  as  can  act  as  Bat  men  and  are 
to  be  taken  for  nny  Term  and  to  be  alowed  as 
effi^ctives;  and  according  to  the  number  settled  in 
Flanders  3  men  to  each  company  and  4  to  the  staff, 
you  are  to  go  immediately  to  that  part  of  the 
4 


i 


XXVI. 


GENERAL  BRAnOOCK  S  OWnEKI.V  HOOK. 


Antictuin  tliat  lie8  in  the  road  to  Coiinofj^o^ro  and 
press  sucli  IJoats  or  (Janoes  as  you  sliall  meet  witli 
upon  the  river  agreeable  to  the  Orders  yon  shall 
receive  from  Governor  Sharpe  If  you  shall  (ind  any 
difficulty  in  the  execution  of  this  Order,  you  are  to 
send  an  express  to  me  and  you  shall  be  immediately 
supplied  with  a  party  of  men  to  inlbrce  it  sending; 
word  when  they  shall  join  you,  and  you  are  to  collect 
all  the  Boat!-*  fee  at  that  pass  by  the  '28th  of  this 
month. 


Fredkrick,  Thursday,  A|)ril  24th,  1755. 
Parole — Yarmouth. 


Frkdeuick,  Friday,  April  2oth.  1755. 
Parole — A|>p!eby. 
Col"    Dunbar's    Regiment    o    hold    themselves  in 
readiness  to  March  by  the  21) ib. 

AFTKU  ORDKIiS. 

One  Corporal  and  tour  men  to  Mai-cb  to  morrow 
Morning  to  Rock  ( vreek  with  four  Waggons  that 
came  up  this  Evening;  when  the  party  comes  to 
Rock  Creek  they  .are  to  put  themselves  under  the 
command  of  Ensign   French. 


Frederk^k,  Saturday.  April  26th,  1755. 

Parole — Bed  lord. 

Col"  Dunbars  Regiment  to  furnish  ll  Officers  for  a 
Court  Martial,  to  try  some  i)risoners  of  the  Inde- 
pendant  (.'ompany  &  (./apt"  Oates  Presid'  the  report 
to  be  made  to  General   Brad  dock. 


Frederick,  Sunday,  April  27th,  1755 
Parole — Chester, 
(/olo  Dunbars  Regiment  is  to  march  y  29th  and  to 


tJHA 


GENERAL  HUAI)1)()CK  S  OKDEHLY  BOOK.         XXVII. 


procood    to  Wills  (Wevk  agi-ooablo   to  the  following 
Route: 

MII.RH. 

2!)tli  From  Fi'cmI'^  on  y«'  road  to  Conogogee  17 

3(lth  From  that  halting  place  toCongogoo 18 

Ist  From  ('on(»gogi't'  to  John  Evon'.s 10 

2d  lioHt 

'M'i\     '-    Widow    Harin^T 18 

4t'    ''\v,'>'>rgc  Polls 9 

•J..         Htiiry  Kn(K!k\s.,.. 15 

<)th  Rost 

7th  To  Cox's  at  y<'   mouth  of  little  Cacaph 12 

Sth  To('ol"('resai)s 8 

!)th  To  Wills  Creek 16 

Total,  129 

Tlio  men  are  to  take  from  this  ])laee  three  Days 
provisions;  at  (Jonogogee  they  will  have  more,  at 
the  Widow  Baringers  5  Days,  at  Col"  Cresaps  one  or 
more  Days,  and  at  all  these  [)laces  Oats  or  Indian 
(\)V]\  must  be  had  for  the  Horses  but  no  Hay. 

At  Conogogee  the  Troops  cross  the  Potomack  in  a 
Float  When  the  Troops  have  marchd  14  miles  from 
.In"  Kvans  thev  are  to  make  the  new  road  to  their 
Ivight,  which  li'ads  from    ()j)eckon  Bridge. 

When  the  Troops  have  marchd  14  miles  from 
Ceorge  Polle's  they  C(jme  to  the  great  Cacapepon 
they  are  to  |)ass  that  River  in  a  Float,  after  passing 
thev  take  the  road  to  the  Rijxht. 

If  the  water  in  the  little  Cacapepon  is  high  the 
Tioops  must  encamp  opposite  to  Cox's. 

At  the  mouth  of  the  little  Cacapepon  the  Po- 
tomack is  to  be  crossd  in  a  Float  lAjur  miles  beyond 
this  they  cross  Town  (.'reek  if  the  Float  should  not 
he  finishd  Canves  will  be  })nn'ided. 

If  the  Bridges  are  not  finistidover  Wills  Creek  and 
Kvans  Creek.  Waggons  will  be  orderd  to  carry  the 
men  over.  It  will  be  prop'  to  get  2  Days  Provns  at 
Col"  (.resapsy^  whole  sli<'  ntjt  arrive  till  y-  l()th. 


J.M 


I 


m 


JCXVIII.      GENKKAL  BKADDOCK  S  ()UI»KKLY   BOOK. 

A  Subaltoni  and  tliirty  nit'ii  arc  to  be  left  behind 
with  a  proper  number  of  tents  which  will  be  carried 
for  the!n  ;  these  men  are  to  have  six  da^B  Provisions. 

The  CJenerals  Guard  is  not  to  be  relievd  to  morrow 
but  proper  Centrys  are  to  be  found  from  the  30  men 
orderd  to  remain. 


P'jiKDKKU^K,  Monday,  April  28th,  1755. 
Parole — Daventry. 

The  Detachment  of  Sailors,  and  the  Provost 
Marshalls  (luard  consisting  of  one  Sergeant,  one 
Corporal  and  10  mow  to  march  with  Col"  Dunbars 
Regiment  to  morrow  morning,  and  to  make  the  Rear 
Guard. 

ToCai'T^  (Iatks,  28th  April.  1755. 

You  are  directed  by  His  Excellency  Gen'  lirad- 
dock  to  proceed  with  your  Comi)any  to  Conogogec 
where  you  are  to  act  as  a  covering  ]>arty  for  the 
magazines,  and  you  are  to  remain  there  till  further 
Orders  unless  all  the  Stores,  Amminiition,  (Jcc,  should 
be  come  up  from  Rock  Oeek  and  forwarded  to  Wills 
Creek,  in  that  case  you  are  to  join  the  (Jeneral  at 
Wills  Creek  as  soon  as  possible. 

You  arc  to  give  all  [)()ssible  assistance  and  use 
your  utmost  endeavours  in  transporting  the  several 
Stores,  Ammunition,  Provision,  &c  to  Wills  Creek 
with  the  utmost  expedition. 

Whilst  you  remain  at  Conogogee  you  are  to  send 
a  Sergant  or  Corporal  with  such  of  your  men  as  are 
to  be  trusted  with  all  the  Waggon's  which  arrive  at 
that  place  from  Rock  Creek  allowing  one  man  to 
each  VVaggon  and  you  arc  to  send  them  immediately 
back  to  Rock  Creek  for  more  Stores  till  you  shall  be 
informd  from  the  Officers  there,  that  every  thing  is 
sent  up. 

To  Ensign  Fkkncii,  at  Rock  Creek. 

28th  April.  1755. 

You  are  ordered  by  his  Excellency  Gen'  Braddock 


r.KNEHAI,  HKADDOCK  fi  OKDKKLY   HOOK. 


XXIX. 


ho    Provost 


to  forward  with  all  Expedition  tho  aninuinitioii 
Stores  &c  at  Rock  (JroeU  to  Mr  Oosaps  (Joiiogogoo 
taking  caro  to  soiid  tho  aniniunition  Train  Stores  &c 
first,  tiuMi  tho  Hospital  Storos  and  Salt  Fish. 

You  aro  not  wait  for  tho  lioovos  hut  as  soon  as  the 
aforoniontionod  things  aro  gone  up  you  will  move 
with  your  party  and  join  the  llogiinent  at  Wills 
Creek  agiooahle  to  the  follow^'  March  Route;  as  you 
will  find  Provisions  very  scarce  on  tho  Road  you 
must  take  with  you  as  many  days  of  salt  Provisions 
as  the  Men  can  carry. 

MILK8. 

From  Rock  crook  to  Owens  Ordy 15 

To  Dowdons 15 

To  Frederick 15 

On  tho  Road  to  Conogogee 17 

To  Conogogoo IS 

To  John  Fvan's ...10 

To  Widow  Ra ringer's 18 

To  CJoorgo  Polls's 9 

To  I  lonry  Enocks  15 

To  Mr  Cox's 12 

To  Col"  Cresap's 8 

To  Wills  Creek 16 


Total,         174 

You  must  if  you  should  find  it  necessary,  take 
with  you  Guides  from  place  to  place,  and  make  such 
halts  as  you  shall  find  absolutely  necessary  being 
careful  not  to  loose  any  time. 

If  the  Waggons  should  come  in  very  slowly  make 
your  application  to  tho  Civil  Officers  and  if  that 
should  not  succeed  send  Parties  to  fetch  in  any 
Waggons  you  shall  hear  off.  Inform  Lieut  Breerton 
of  the  March  Route,  and  tell  him  it  is  tho  Generals 
Orders  that  ho  make  all  imaginable  dispatch. 

As  soon  as  the  Paymaster  arrives  he  must  also 
victual  his  men   when  the  last  Stores  of  all  kinds 


XXX. 


GKNKK\I,  RKADIXH'K  S  OUDKKI.V  HOOK. 


vvhii'li  lire  to  lu' sent  jhm!  ilismissd  Irom  Hock  (^ivok. 
von  aiv  to  simhI  ii  liOttiT  (o  (/aj)"  (lativs  at.  (/onogogtv 
iiiioniiio^  liiiii  of  it. 

'V\u'  luuid  harrows  and  wlu'ol  harrows  ol' tlu>  Train 
('X('«'|)t  (>  ol'  ci\v\\  arc  to  hi'  K'lt  hcliind  all  hut  tli« 
WlnH'ls  and  li'on    Work  which   ai'c   to  he  iorward(>d. 


Camp  w  Koim  ('umiu-.ki.ani), 
Satnrdav.  Mav  lOtli.  1755. 
Parole — (-onnccticnt. 
Mr.  Washinnton  is  appointed  ai(i  -Ao  ( ..inp  to  Ilis 
Kxccllcn«'v  (liMJci'al  Hradd<)ck. 

Kichl  «)lliciM"  lor  to  morrow  .Mai"'  Spai'kc. 
The  articK's  ol' wai-  to  he  read  to  morrow  morning, 
at  which  lime  the  servants,  women   an«l  followers  of 
the  armv  are  to  attend  with  the  respective  corps  and 
I'oinpanies  that  thc\   ludonii  to. 


an 


shall  think  proper 

The  Virginia  and  Marvland  Ivaujicrs  and  tht(oiii- 
pany  ol" 'arpiMiters  to  settle  their  men's  a(\'ts  imni<'- 
liiately,  nivin'.i'  them  cit'dit  for  what  arreai's  ifcc  arc 
due.  and  they  are  Tor  the  Inture  to  he  snhsisted 
re}i"tdarl\    twice  a  weel>  as  dn'  rest  ol  troops  ac. 

A  retnrn  to  he  uiven  in  to  morrow    Morniui;'  of  the 


HOOK. 

Ill)  Hork  ('rook. 
»s  lit  ('()iu)«»;o»;iv 

iwsol"  tlio  Train 
ind  nil  l)ut  tli« 
.>  Ik*  lorwardoil. 

MHKUl.ANI), 
y  lOtll.   ITrif). 

tic  t  .'inp  to  Uit< 

i'-  Spiirko. 
iiorrow  inorninii, 
iui(i  t'olloworn  o\' 
uH'tivo  corps  ami 

;uitl    Iviuii;-crs  to 
rrow. 
Kcijiincnt. 
tlu'  F  rt  <  I  ward 

is    to     IIMUVI)    to 
n'    rcl'u'Vt'd  cvcr\ 


(JKNKKAI.  HKADIMK'K  S  OKDKKl.V    l»(M)K. 


XXXI. 


CiU'lK 


lit 


crs  IS  ii> 


1   U 


licir  tt)ois  nnd   lo 
|tlu>  t5rass  (luiinl 

|crs  and  tluMoiii- 
luMi's  luvts  iiniii"'- 


it   arrears  ^^ 


L^c  an 


to  !)(»    subsisted 


trooi 


)s  ai 


Morniu 


jr  o\'  tl 


<'oinpanys, 


tl 


iiidiii'-!;  «> 


tHccr 


\' 


ir-jiiiii  and 


I. 


:lit   ilorsc  luv 
r  their 


stroMi2;tli,  which  return  is  to '»e  si;;ned  hy  the  cMptaiii 
or  ollicer  coininaiidinjji;  (  .ich  company,  and  to  he  tiixcii 
in  Hei)arately. 

ThetJeni'ral  has  lixt'd  th(>  iionr  lor  his  ii(>v\.  I'roni 
ten  till  eleven  in  the  forenoon  everv  l)a\ . 


InionMH'''  o 


Cami"  at  Four  ('rMi{i:iii,A\i». 

Sunday.  May  11,1  TTto. 

Parole — Albany. 

Field  ollicer  to  morrow  \/  Col  nnrton. 
The  (Icncrals  (liiiird  11th  Hc^nnt. 

A  return  to  be  sent  in  ol  the  iiuiubcrs  of  men  who 
understand  tin-  spiinninL!:  of  rock,",  iS;  those  men  that 
are  litt  are  t(»  be  told  that  lliey  w  ili  ircciNc  propt-r 
eni'ouraj>;eim'iit  all  the  troop.s  are  to  bciiiii  their  Held 
Days  Powder  may  be  bad  IVom  the  train  by  :ip|>ly- 
inji"  lor  it.  and  ca<di  mar  is  to  baxc  12  nuinds  lor 
every  Held  Da  > . 

A  lu'turii  is  to  be  uiveii  in  to  moi'row  morniie:  at 
ordcrU  time  of  the  recruits  ol"  the  whole  arm\. 
s«'ttin|i>'  forth  their  aii'c  si/e  country  and  occMpdlion 
one  Sarncaiit  and  (>  men  from  |ii([U(  t  to  a'teiid  durini; 
the  time  of  markettint;'  to  piexcnt  Di.sput' s.  and  if 
any  siiould  happen  he  is  to  !>pply  to  the  capl"  ol  the 
Picipiet  he  belonus  to.  This  duty  U)  be  done  alter 
iiattdy. 

All  provisions  broui2,ht  into  camp  to  be  settled 
accordiii^i'  to  a  settled  ride,  a  I'opx  of  which  will  be 
jiixen  to  th"  ti'oops  by  the  Major  of  lirii^aib-  and  in 
person  brin^inji,'  provisions  shall  pi'csume  to  ask  more 
nor  shall  an\  bod\  olli'r  less  for  ;i«)o»l  and  w  holesoine 
meat. 

'I'he  ISth  Ixe^iment  is  to  recreive  their  Days  pro- 
visions to  mori'ow  at  lOo'cdock. 

aktkh  ohdkijs. 

All  the  out  }!;u!irds  tobe  ndiev<Ml  tomorrow  niorn'tr 
and  parade  at  T)  o'clock. 


*'.(?--.W"i..Ai'Vv..;'-'  ■■'■"H^.-i: 


XXXIl. 


GENERAL  BRADDOCK  S  ORDERLY  BOOK. 


EVENING  ORDKRS. 

It  is  His  Excellency^  General  Braddocks  orders 
that  no  officer  soldier  or  others  give  the  Indians  men 
women  or  children  any  rum  other  Liquor  or  money 
upon  any  account  whatever. 


Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland, 
Monday,  May  12th,  1755. 

Parole — Boston . 

Field  Officer  to  morrow  Maj*"  Sparke. 

The  Generals  Guard  48th  Regiment. 
Whereas  Capt  Poulson,  one  of  the  Virginia  com- 
pany of  carpenters  desired  a  court  martial  to  enquire 
into  his  character,  having  been  accused  of  being  in 
arms  in  the  late  Rebellion  in  Scotland  His  Excellency 
has  been  informed  that  the  accusations  is  scandalous 
and  groundless ;  if  therefore  any  person  whatever 
can  prove  Capt"  Poison  to  have  been  in  the  late 
Rebellion  they  are  desired  innnediately  to  send  their 
accusation  to  the  General ;  if  not  His  Excellency 
entirely  frees  liim  from  any  imputation  of  that 
kind,  and  desires  that  no  retlections  for  the  futuR' 
may  be  thrown  on  Capt"  Poison  on  that  ace'. 

after  orders. 

A  General  Court  Martial  to  sit  immediatelv  at 
the  President's  Tent,  it  is  to  consist  of  one  field 
officer,  G  ('apt"s  and  6  Subalterns. 

Maj''  Sparke  President. 
Mr  Shirley  Judge  Advocate. 
His  Excellency  has  thought  proper  to  Brigade  the 
Army  in  the  following  manner  and  they    are  for  the 
future  to  encamp  accordingly  : 

The  first  lirignde,  Commanded  by  iSir  Frter  Halket. 

Compliment.     ESIecttve. 
44tli    Regiment   of  Foot 700   700 

Cupt"  Gates  i  of  New  Yr-'-  ^""    ^^ 

('a|)t.  Polfoii's    Carpenters 


Independant  Compv  I  ,,.,> 

of  New  York       ,  '"" 

60 

Capt.  Peronnee'vS  [                 Virginia  Riiijfers 50 

('apt.  Waguer's    j  Virginia  Rangers oO 


4S 
47 
45 


OK. 


GENERAL  HUADDOCK  S  OKDEKLY  B(X)K.       XXXIII. 


locks  orders 
Indians  men 
or  or  money 


CRLAND, 

2th,  1755. 

jarke. 
nent. 

Virginia  com- 
ial  to  enquire 
1  of  being  in 
[is  Excellency 

is  scandalous 
fioii  whatever 
n  in  the  late 
y  to  send  their 
[is  Excellency 
tation  of  that 

or  the  fiituFo 
\\i  acC. 

^nmediately  ut 
of    one  field 


|to  Brigade  the 
>v    are  for  the 


IhUket 

Compliment. 

Effective. 

700    . 

...    700 

100    . 

....     95 

50    . 

...     48 

50 

....     -17 

r.0 

...     45 

650 
97 
80 
35 
48 
40 
43 


Capt.  Dagworthy's Maryland  Rangers 60  49 

Second  Brigade,  Comvmnded  by  Colonel  Dunbar. 

48ti.  Regiment  of  Foot 700 

Capt.   Demerie's South   Carolina  Detacht 100 

Capt.   D(il)b'.s North  Carolina  Rangers 100 

Capt.  Mercer's Company  of  Carpenters 50 

Capt.  Stevens'sl                 Virginia  Rangers 60 

Capt.  Hogg's,      \ Virginia  Rangers :.  50 

Capt.  Cox's       J                 Virginia  Rangers , 50 

Any  soldier  or  follower  of  the  army  who  shall 
stop  any  one  hrinjxing  in  provisions  or  forage  to  the 
camp  shall  inimedintely  suffer  death. 

No  out  post  to  march  IVom  or  to  camp  with  beat 
of  drum,  nor  is  any  heat  of  drum  to  beat  before  the 
Troop  unless  when  any  of  the  Troops  are  out  at 
exercise,  and  of  which  they  are  to  acquaint  the 
General  the  night  before  thro'  (me  of  His  aid  de 
camps. 


Camt  at  Fort  Cumberland, 

Tuesday,   13th  May,  1755. 

Parole — Charleston. 

Field  OHicer  for  to  morrow  Lt  Col  Burton. 
For  the  Generals  Guard  44th  Regiment. 

The  quartermasters,  Camp  colour  men,  and 
Pi(meers  of  the  two  Regiments  with  two  men  of  the 
Independent  Companies  with  proper  Tools  for 
clearing  the  grouiul  in  the  Front  to  parade  at  five 
o'clock  in  the  Evening  at  the  head  of  the  48th 
Regiment,  and  to  remain  there  for  the  Field  Officer 
of  the  Day's  orders. 

The  Pic(|uetts  are  to  lay  advanced  and  to  remain 
att  their  parade  till  they  receive  the  Field  Officers 
orders.  Each  of  the  two  Regiments  to  send  G  tents 
to  the  companies  in  each  Brigade,  and  also  to  send  (> 
tents  each  lor  the  men  of  their  advanced  Picquets. 
The  centrys  on  the  advanced  Picquetts  not  to  suffer 
any  body  to  pass  un(|uestioned  after  sun  set. 

The  Picquett  returns  at  (>  o'clock  in   the  morning. 

The  quarter  Guard    of  Sir    Peter   llalketts  Regi- 


XXXIV.      GENERAL  BKADOOCK  S  OUDEHLY  BOOK. 


ment  for  the  future  to  be  posted  on    the   right  flank. 


Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland, 
Wednesday,  14th  May,  1755. 
Parole — Dumfries. 
Field  Officer  tomorrow  LtCol  Burton. 
The  Generals  Guard  48th  Regiment. 
The  General    Court  Martial    is  dissolved.      Luke 
Woodward  soldier  in  the  48th  Regiment,  commanded 
by  Col  Dunbar,  having  been  tryed  for  Desertion  by  ii 
General  Court    Martial    whereof   Maji-  Wm    Sparke 
was    [)resident,    is    by    sentence    of  that  Gen'  Court 
Martial  adjudged  to  suffer  death.      His    Excellency, 
()lenl  Rraddock    has    approved  of  the   sent<3nce,  but 
has  been  pleased  to  pardon  him. 

Thomas  Conelly,  James  Fitzgerald  and  James 
Hughes,  soldiers  in  the  48th  Regitnent,  and  tryed 
for  theft  by  the  said  Court  Martial  whereof  Major 
Sparke  was  President,  are  by  the  sentence  of  the 
s'd  Court  Martial  adjudged  to  suffer  the  following 
punishments  : 

Thomas  Conelly   one   thous''  1       Lashes  att  the 
Jas  Fitzgerald,  eight  hund''     ^  Head 

Jas  Hughes  eight  hund''  j  of  the  Line. 
Also  that  they  l)e  obliged  to  make  satisfaction  for 
the  Kegg  of  Beer  stolen  by  them  to  the  value  of 
thirty  three  shil^"-'  Maryland  Cur.v,  and  that  proper 
stopages  be  made  out  of  their  pay  by  their  ofHceis 
for  that  purpose;  His  Fxcellency  has  approved  the 
sentence,  but  has  been  pleased  to  remit  one  hundred 
lashes  from  the  puishment  of  Conelly  and  two  hun- 
dred from  each  of  the  other  two.  Conelly  is  to 
receive  900  lashes  at  3  different  times  .300  lashes 
each  time.  Jas  Fitzgerald  and  Jas  Hughes  are  to 
receive  000  lashes  each  at  two  different  times,  oOO 
lashes  each  time.  The  48th  Regiment  to  .send  the 
Drummers  to  the  head  ofyt^  line,  to  put  the  sentence 
in  execution,  the  lirst    time   of  punishment  to  be  to 


GENEUAL  BUADDOCK's  OUDEPLY  BOOK.        XXXV. 

morrow  morning  at  troop  beating.  The  two  Picquetts 
formed  from  the  Indejjendent  Companies  Virginia 
and  Maryland  Rangers,  to  eonsist  of  one  Capt"  2 
Subalterns,  2  Sargeants,  2  Corporals  and  38  Cen- 
tinals. 


('AMI'  AT  Fort  Cumberland, 
Thursday,  15th  May,  1753. 
Parole — Portsmouth. 
Field  Officer  to  morrow  Maj""  Sparke. 
For  the  Generals  Guard  44th  Regiment. 
The  Officers  who  were  ordered  to  get  themselves  in 
readiness  to  go  with  the  paymaster  are  cont*^ 

On  subaltern,  one  serg'  1  corpl  and  30  cent'l  to 
march  this  evening  to  Mr  Martin's  where  the  troop 
of  Light  Horse  graze,  the  men  to  take  tents  with 
them  and  provisions  for  three  days,  the  officer  to 
receive  his  orders  from  Capt  Stuart  of  the  Light 
Horse ;  this  guard  to  be  relievd  every  3d  Day. 

One  Serg',  one  Corpl  and  12  men  to  parade  att 
the  Fort  Guard  this  Day  at  12  o'clock  m. 

The  Surgeant  will  receive  his  orders  from  Capt 
Orme. 

AFTER  ORDERS, 

The  Subalterns  Guard  that  was  ordered  to  march 
to  Martin's  is  countermanded. 


Camr  AT  Fort  Cumberland, 
Friday,  16th  May,   1755, 
Parole — Winchester. 
Field  ( )tlicer  to  morrow  Lt  Col  Gage. 
For  the  Generals  Guard  44th  Regiment. 
Any    Indian   Trader,    Soldier   or  follower  of  the 
army  who  shall  dare  to  give    liquor    to    any  of  the 
Indians  or  shall  receive  or    purchase  from  them  any 
of  their  presents  made  to  them  by  His  Majesty  thro' 
His    Excellency    Genl    Braddock,   shall    suffer    the 
.severest  punislimenta  court  martial  can  inflict. 


XXXVI.      GENERAL  BUADDOCK  S  (JHDERLV  I5U0K. 

There  will  be  a  public  congress  of   the  Indians  to 
morrow  at  12  o'clock  at  the  Generals  Tent^ 


Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland, 
Saturday,  17th  of  May,  1755. 

Parole — Eskaw. 

The  congress  of  Indians  mentioned  in  yesterdays 
orders  is  put  off. 

Field  officer  to  morrow  Lt  Col  Burton. 
For  the  Generals  Guard  48th  Regiment. 

The  Two  Regiments,  the  Independent  comi^ys,  the 
companvs  of  carpenters,  the  Virginia  and  Maryland 
company  of  Rangers  and  the  Troo[)  of  Light  Horse 
are  to  send  immediately  to  Mr  Lake,  commissary  of 
Provisions  a  separate  return  of  the  number  of  persons 
they  each  of  them  draw  provisions  for,  this  return  to 
be  signed  by  the  commander  of  the  two  regt  and  by 
the  captains  or  officers  connnanding  each  of  the  Inde- 
pendent company s  &c.  The  form  of  this  return  is 
sent  to  the  Brigade  Major  and  is  to  be  given  in 
regularly  every  eight  Days. 

His  Excellency  expects  that  this  order  will  be 
punctually  obeyed,  as  the  commissary  will  not  be 
able  to  provide  a  proper  quantity  of  Provisions  for 
the  army  unless  he  has  the  above  return  sent  to  him 
regularly. 

One  Subaltern,  one  Sergt  1  corporal,  &  30  men  to 
mount  as  a  guard  on  the  artillery.  They  are  to  parade 
this  afternoon  at  5  o'clock  and  to  be  relieved  every 
48  hours. 


Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland, 
Sunday,  May  18th,  1755. 

Parole  — Farnham. 

There  will  be  a  public  congress  of  the  Indians  this 
day  at  12  o'clock  at  the  Genl^  Tent. 


IJUOK. 


the  Indians  to 
rent 


BEKLAND, 

f  Mcay,  1755. 

I  in  yesterday i^ 

Bvn'ton. 
egiment. 
nit  conipys,  the 
and  Maryhmd 
»f  Light    Horse 
,  counnissary  of 
niber  of  persons 
r,  this  retnrn  to 
wo  regt  and  by 
ich  of  the  Inde- 
this  return  is 
to  be  given  in 

order  will  be 

py  will   not  be 

Provisions  for 

irn  sent  to  him 

M,  &  30  men  to 
}y  are  to  parade 
relieved  every 


MBERLAND, 

I8th,  1755. 
he  Indians  this 


GENERAL  BRADDOCK  S  ORDERLY  BOOK.     XXXVIL 

Field  ofTicer  to  morrow  Maj  Sparke. 
For  the  Genls  Guard  44tii  Regt. 

One  corpl,  &  8  men  of  the  line  to  attend  the 
Engineer  in  Surveying;  they  are  to  parade  at  9 
o'clock. 

Each  Regiment,  Independent  Company  &c  in  the 
making  up  of  their  cartridges  are  to  allow  80  round 
of  ball  to  1  lb  of  powder,  and  for  Field  Days  or 
Exercise  they  are  to  allow  40  with  or  without  ball. 

Six  women  j)er  com})any  are  allowed  to  each  of 
the  two  Regimts  and  the  Indei)endent  companys; 
Four  Women  to  each  of  the  companys  of  carpenters 
Virginia  and  Maivhind  Raimers  five  women  to  the 
troop  of  Light  Horse,  as  many  to  the  detachment  of 
seamen,  and  5  to  the  det;  climent  of  artillery. 

His  Excellency  ex])ect  that  this  order  will  be 
punctually  complied  with,  as  no  more  ProV^"  will  be 
allowed  to  be  drawn  for  than  for  the  above  number 
of  women. 

Cami'  at  Fort  Cumberland, 
Monday,  19th  of  May,  1755. 
Parole — (juilford. 
Field  officer  to  morrow  Lt  ('ol  Gage. 
For  the  Generals  Guard  44th  Regiment. 
Each  Brigade  to  send  a  man  to  the  Gen'l  Hospital 
as  Orderly  who  are  to  receve  and  obey  the  directions 
of  Docf  Na])per  Director  of  the  2(1  llospital. 

All  the  troops  are  to  acct  with  the  Director  of  the 
Hospital  once  in  three  months  or  as  soon  after  as  can 
be,  for  stoppages  at  the  rate  of  5  pence  stirl'g  per 
Day,  for  every  Man  that  is  admitted  in  the  Gen'l 
Hospital;  this  stoppage  to  commence  from  the  24  th 
of  May  ensuing. 

As  soon  as  the  Retreat  has  been  beat  this  night 
the  Drum  Maj'"  of  each  of  the  two  Regimets  are  to 
march  with  the  Drummers  and  Drumers  to  the  Head 
of  the  artillery  where  they  will  receive  orders. 


m?'!r^im^^mmmsmBm' 


XXXVIIl.    GKNKHAL  imADDOCK  S  OHDEKLY  BOOK. 

A  return  to  bo  given  into  tho  Brigade  Major  to 
morrow  at  orderly  time  of  the  number  of  smiths  and 
carjKuiters  tliat  are  in  the  two  Regiments,  Inde- 
pendent (companies  &c. 


Camp  at  Fort  CuMnKRLAND, 

Tuesday,  May  the  20th,  1755. 
Parole — llendon. 
Field  officer  to  morrow  Lt  (Jol  IJurton. 
For  the  Generals  Guard  48tli  ilegmt. 
One  Subaltern,  1  Sergt,  1  corp  &  24  men  to  parade 
to  morrow  morning  at  5  o'clock   They  are   to  have 
three  Days  Provisions  with  them    and  the   otTicer  is 
this  night  to   recieve   his  orders  from  Sir  .lohn  St. 
(^lair.  ' 


Camp  at  Fort  Ci  mherland. 

Wednesday,  21st  of  May  1755. 
Parole — llchester. 

Field  officer  to  morrow  Maj  (Jhajiman. 
The  Generals  Guard  44th  Kegmt. 

No  soldier  that  is  employed  as  a  Baker  by  Mr 
Ijake,  commissary  ol'  Provisions,  is  to  be  put  upon 
any  duty  whatever  till  further  orders. 

It  is  Ilis  Excellency's  orders  that  no  Sutler  give 
any  liquor  to  the  Indians  on  any  account:  if  any  one 
does  he  will  be  severely  jninished. 

The  ])rovost  is  to  go  his  round  every  Day  through 
all  the  Roads  leading  to  the  camp,  Every  soldier  or 
woman  that  he  shall  meet  with  on  the  other  side  of 
the  River,  or  beyond  the  advanced  Picquets  without 
a  pass  from  the  Regiment  or  from  the  ofTicer  com- 
manding the  company  to  which  the}-  belong,  he  is  to 
order  his  executioner  to  tye  them  up  and  give  them 
fifty  lashes  and  to  march  them  prisoners  tliro' 
the  camp  to  expose  them. 

One  gill  of  spirits  mixed  witli  three  gills  of  water 


)K. 


GENERAL  HUADDOCK  S  ORDKHLY  HOOK.       XXXIX. 


,0  Major  to 
'  smiths  and 
lents,   Inde- 


may  be  allowed  ea(3h  man  per  Day,  which  the  ofFicera 
of  the  picquet  are  to  see  delivered  out  every  day  at 
P]!even  o'clock,  any  settler  that  shall  sell  any  spirits 
to  the  soldiers  without  an  officer  being  present  shall 
be  sent  to  the  Provosts. 


s'D. 

)th,  1755. 

rton. 
jrmt. 

en  to  parade 

are   to  have 

the   officer  is 

>ir  John  St. 


NI). 

►lay  1755. 

Huan. 
hnt. 

5aker  by  Mr 
be  put  upon 

Sutler  give 
(t:  if  any  one 

)ay  through 
Iry  soldier  or 
[other  side  of 
luets  without 

ofTicer  corn- 
long,  he  is  to 

1  give  them 
Isoners   thro' 

Ills  of  water 


Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland, 
Tuesday,  22d  May,  1755. 

Parole — Kensington. 

Field  Officer  to  morrow  Maj""  Sparke. 
The  Generals  Guard  48th  Regiment. 

Camp  at  Fort  Cumhekland, 
Friday,  May  23d,  1755. 

Parole — Lincoln. 

Field  officer  to  morrow  Maj'  (Jhapman. 
For  the  Genls  Guard  44th  Regenit. 
A  General  (Jourt  Martial  to  sitt  to  morrow  morn- 
ing, at  8  o'clock  at  the  Genls  Tent  to  consist  of  one 
Field  officer,  G  captns  G  Subalterns. 

Lt  Col  Gage  President. 
Mr  Shirley  Judge  Advocate. 
If  any  officer,  soldier  or  follower  of  the  army  shall 
dare  to  give  any  strong  liquor,  or  money  to  the 
Indian  Men  or  Women,  if  an  officer  he  shall  be 
brouuht  to  a  General  (Jourt  Martial  for  disobedience 
of  orders;  if  a  non  commissioned  officer  soldier  or 
follower  of  the  army  he  shall  receive  250  lashes 
without  a  C't  Mart'l. 


Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland, 
Saturday,  24th  May,  1755. 

Parole — Monmouth . 

Field  officer  to  morrow  Lt  Col  Burton. 
For  the  Genls  Guard  48th  Regmt. 


I 

I 


;.*' 


XL. 


GENERAL  HRADDOCK's  OKDEULY  H(JC)K. 


Camp  AT  Fort  Cumberland, 
Sunday,  May  25th,  1755. 

Parole — Norwich. 

Field  officer  to  morrow  Maj>"  Sparke. 
For  the  (leiK'ralH  (lunrd  44th  iie<^mt. 

If  any  non  comniii^sioned  officer  or  soldier  belon;.^iiio; 
to  the  army, is  round  giuning  he  shall  immediately 
receive  three  liundred  la.sheH  without  beinj,^  brou<»ht 
to  court  martial,  and  all  standers  by  or  lookers  on 
shall  be  deemed  principals  and  punished  as  such. 

One  Capt",  1  Lent,  1  Ensign  and  70  men  of  the  2 
Brigades  to  parade  immediately  att  the  Fort.  They 
are  to  take  Tents  and  1(1  days  ProV'Mvith  them. 
The  Capt  is  to  receive  his  orders  from  Sir  John  St 
Clair. 

A  Genl  Court  Martial  of  the  Line,  to  sitt  to 
morrow  to  try  Lt  McLead  of  the  Royal  Regt  of  Ar- 
tillery confined  by  Genl  Braddock  to  consist  of  one 
Col.  2   Field  Officers,  and  10  Captns. 

Sir  Peter  Halkett  President. 
Mr  Shirley  Judge  Advocate. 

To  sit  at  the  Presidents  Tent  and  to  meet  at  12 
o'clock. 


Camp  at  Fort  Cumfjerland, 
Monday,  2Gth  May,  1755 

Parole — Oxford . 

Field  Officer  to  morrow  Lt  Col  Gage. 

For  the  GiMierals  Guard  4Sth  Regiment. 

The  General  Court  Martial  whereof  Lt   Col  Gage 

was  President  is    dissolved    His  Excellency  having 

approved  of  the  several  sentences  allotted  them. 

John  Nugent  of  the  44th  Regiment  having  been 
tryed  for  theft  and  found  guilty  of  the  crime  laid  to 
his  charge  as  an  accomplice  in  receiving  a  share  of 
the  money  that  w^as  stole,  is  adjudged  to  receive  <jne 
thousand  lashes,  and  to  be  drum'd    out   of  the  Reg  t 


OK. 


GKNERAL  BKADDOCK  S  OKDKKLY  HOOK. 


XM. 


EULAND, 

5tli,  1755. 


irke. 
L'gint. 

ier  boloiifj^itifi 
iimuodiiitoly 
t'ing  broiij^lit 
r  lookors  on 
I  as  such, 
men  of  the  2 
Fort.  They 
'»«  with  theni. 
.  Sir  John  St 

ne,  to  sitt  to 
I  Regt  of  Ar- 
onsist  of  one 

t. 

o  meet  iit  12 


KULAND, 

^ay,  1755 

:;age. 
biment. 
[Lt   Col  Gage 
llency  having 
Ted  them. 

having  been 
Icrime  hiid  to 

U  a    share  of 

|o  receive  (^le 

of  the  Regt 


through   the    line   with    a  halter   about    his   neck. 

Samuel  Draumer,  of  the  44th  Regim't  and  George 
Darty  of  Capt  Demere's  Independent  Company 
having  been  tryed  for  desertion  are  Jidjudged  each  of 
them  to  receive  two  hund'«l  lashes. 

Henry  Dalton,  of  the  48th  Reg't  having  been 
tryed  for  shooting  Henry  Pelkington,  sold'r  in  the 
said  Regiment  the  (Jourt  Marshal  is  of  opinion  that 
the  said  Dalton  did  not  shoot  the  said  Pelkington 
with  design  but  that  it  was  done  by  accident,  there- 
lore  His  E.xcellency  Gen'l  Braddock  has  ordered 
him  to  be  released  and  to  be   sent   back  to  his  duty. 

If  any  soldier  is  seen  Drunk  in  Camp  he  is  to  be 
sent  immediately  to  the  quarter  guard  of  the  Regmt 
he  belongs  to,  and  the  next  morning  he  is  to  receive 
two  hundred  lashes  without  a  Court  Martial. 


Cami'  AT  Fort  Cumherland, 
Tuesday,  May  27th,  1755. 

Parole — Petersfield. 

Field  Officer  to  morrow  Lt  Col  Burton. 
For  the  Generals  Guard  44th  Regiment. 

The  party  of  the  Pic([ucts  that  lay  advanced  to 
load  with  raming  ball,  the  rest  of  the  picquets  to 
load  with  powder  and  to  have  their  ball  in  their 
pockets. 

The  following  detachments  to  marcii  on  Tuesday 
morning  to  parade  at  Revelle  boating.  The  men  to 
be  provided  with  two  days  provisions  ready  dress'd. 
The  44th,  48th  Regts  are  to  furnish  1  field  officer,  4 
capts  12  subalterns  12  sergeants  and  250  rank  and 
file. 

Capt    Rutherford's    Capt    Demere's  Independent 
Companys,  Capt  Waginer's  Capt    Peyrouneys   Com- 
panies   of    Virginia    Rangers    and    Capt    Poison's 
Company  of  Carpenters  are  also  to  march  with  this 
6 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


6^ 


XLII. 


GENERAL  liKADDOCK  S  OHDEIILY  BOOK. 


< 
i 

J  ' 


detachment,  who  are  to  take  with  them    their  camp 
equippage  and  baggage. 

Major  Chapman  Field  Officer  for   the  detachment. 

The  Independent  Company  and  companys  of"  Vir- 
ginia Rangers  ordered  for  this  Detachment  to  furnish 
no  men  for  tlie  guards  to  morrow  and  any  men  that 
they  may  have  upon  the  out  Guards  are  to  be  relieved 
immediately.  Particular  care  is  to  be  taken  that  the 
men's  arms  are  in  good  order  and  that  each  man  is 
provided  with  ten  flints  and  couipleated  to  2i  rounds 
of  ammunition. 

The  Tools  and  Tomahav/ks  of  the  2d  Brigade  are 
to  be  giv  m  at  Gun  firing  this  evng  to  the  quarter 
master  General  at  his  tent  and  a  dem'd  to  be  made 
to  morrow  nig  at  G  o'clock  of  ye  number  of  Tools 
each  Brigade  will  want,  the  quarter  master  to  attend. 


Cami'  at  Cumberland, 
Wednesday,  May  28th,  1755. 

Parole — Quarendon . 

Field  officer  to  morrow  Maj  Sparke. 
Generals  Guard  48th  Kegt. 
The  Regulation  of  stoppages  with   the  Director  of 
the  Genl  Hospital  to  commence  from  the  24th  of  this 
month. 

As  it  is  necessary  to  employ  the  soldiers  in  making 
and  amending  the  roads  His  Excellency  has  been 
pleased  to  appt  the  foUovvg  allowances 

H  d 

To  overy  sub:  ofi'icer 3  01  Sterlin;;; 

To  every  scraeiint 1       \ 

To  every  corporal '.)  1      ' 

To  every  druuier  and  privuie  ceniiiml (!  j     Day 

But  as  at  present  there  is  no  pu])lic  market  and  of 
course  the  men  will  Jiave  no  opportunity  of  making 
use  of  the  ready  money  His  Excellency  is  so  kind  as 
to  promise  that  he  will  see  that  they  are  punctually 
paid  whatever  is  due  to  them  when   they   arrive  in 


CxENERAL  BRADDOCk's  ORDERLY  BOOK.  XLIII. 

o^'serleTn'rln:  tt"''''"  ''"'fT  *'"'"*"-"  "«<=" 
v^t  '^-iQt.uit  nas  the  command  of  any  workino-  nnrf.r 

llie  companies  of  Rangers  are  for  the  future  tn 

Bnta,n  are  desired  to  giv.^them't„dtrefthe  Gen? 
aid  de  camps  or  to  Mr.  Shirley. 

AFTER  ORDERS. 

o<iucs  Lo  mount  but  one  picquet. 


Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland 
Thursday,  29th  May,  1755. 
Parole— Queensbury. 
Field  officer  to  morrow  Lt  Col  Gage. 
The  benls  Guard  44th  Regiment 

Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland, 
Friday,  30th  of  May,  1756. 
Parole— Rochester. 
Field  officer  to  morrow  Lt  Col  Burton. 


XLIV. 


GENERAL  BRADDOCK  S  ORDERLY  ROOK. 


Generals  Guard  48th  Rogmt. 

The  tioops  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to 
march  in  24  hours  warning. 

Whatever  Barrells  the  Regiments  and  companys 
have  got  belonging  to  the  artillery  are  to  be  sent 
back  immediately  with  their  troops  to  the  foreman  of 
the  train. 


Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland, 

Saturday,  31st  May,  1755. 
Parole 

Field  Officer  to  morrow  May  Sparke. 
Generals  Guard  44th  Regiment. 


Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland, 
Sunday,  Lst  of  June,  1755. 

Parole — Tamworth . 

Field  officer  to  morrow  Lt  Col  Gage. 
Generals  Guard  48th  Rogmt. 


Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland, 
Monday,  2d  of  June,  1755. 

Parole — Weybridge. 

Field  Officer  to  morrow  Lt  Col  Burton. 
Generals  Guard  44th  Regiment. 

The  Hatchet  men  of  the  two  Regements  and  one 
man  per  company  from  the  rest  of  the  line  to  Parade 
this  afternoon  att  3  o'clock  at  Mr  Gordon's  (En- 
gineer) Tent. 

Four  Sergeants  2  corporals  &  100  men  with  arms 
1  subaltern,  1  sergeant  1  coporal  and  30  men  with 
arms  to  parade  to  morrow  morning  at  Revelle  beai> 
ing  at  the  head  of  the  Line  and  to  receive  their 
orders  from  Mr  Gordon  Engineer. 

His  Excellency  has  been  pleased  to  appoint  Col 
Innes  Governor  of  Fort  Cumberland. 


TxENERAL  BRADDOCK's  ORDERLY  BOOK.  XLV. 

rp,  MONDAY  EVENING 

ment  of  ml!^"'  "^f^^  to  march  with  the  detach- 
totorfoilr /afte;;?'' '"  "  -~^^ 

Cami'  at  Fort  Cumberland. 

Tuesday,  June  3d,  1755. 

Parole— Yarmouth 
A  General  Court  Mnrtiil  nf  fL«  t  • 
6  captains  &  6  subalterns  to  siff      "'  ^°"«^«tnig  of 
•if  s^^'«l     1     ^  ;  ""'"terns  to  sitt  to  morrow  mornina- 
.It  8  o  clock  at  the  Presidents  Tent.  '"«rning 

Major  Sparke  President 

u-  1 1  ^l  ^^'''^''y  ^"*^S^  Advocate, 
i^ield  Officer  to  morrow  Lt  Col  Burton 
l^.      Q  \;enerals  Guard  48th  Regiment. 

withrt    arm  "r'  '"f  ^'  '  ^"''P''^'  ^^    1^0  -en 


Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland, 
Wednesday,  4th  June,  1755. 
Parole — Doncaster. 
Field  officer  to  morrow  Lt  Col  Burton. 
TU  ^^ll^l^']''^'^^^  Guard  44th  Regiment 
The  44th     egiment  and   Capt  Mercer's  Companv 
of  Virginia  Carpenters  to  hold  themselves  iTreadf 
ness  to  march  m  an    hour's  wirnin^v      Ti  ?  • 

Party  to  be  relieved   to  morr:;;' n   fninJtd'bv'lhf 
same  number.  ^"»'e»  ^ma  by  the 


)  appoint  Col 


Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland 

Thursday,  June  5th,  1 755. 
Parole— Boston. 


XLVI. 


GKNEHAL  BKADDOCK  S  OKDKUl.Y  HUOK. 


Field  <  HficcM'  to  morrow  Major  Sparko. 
For  the  Ceiieral.s  Guard  48tli  llegimont. 
The    working    party   to    be    relieved  to  morrow 
niorniiig  and  by  the  same  number  of  men. 


Camp  at  Fout  Cumberland, 
Friday,  June  0th,  1755. 
Parole 

Field  Officer  to  morrow  Lt  Col  Burton. 

Sir  Peter  Ilalketts  Regiment  to  march  to  morrow 
morning  ;  the  sick  of  the  Regiment  unable  to  march 
to  be  sent  to  the  Gen'l  Hospital.  One  Subaltern 
officer  to  be  left  behind  with  them. 

The  men  of  Sir  Peter  Ilalketts  Regiment  now 
upon  Guard  when  they  are  relieved  or  ordered  to 
come  off  are  to  be  assembled  together  and  marchd 
regularly  to  the  Regiment  by  an  officer. 

Capt"  Gates's  Independant  Company  and  all 
ye  remaining  companies  of  provincial  Troops  to 
march  on  Sunday  morning  with  the  whole  Park  of 
Artillery. 

No  more  women  arc  allowed  to  marcii  with  each 
Regiment  and  Company  than  the  number  allowed 
of  by  His  Excellency  in  the  orders  of  the  18th  of 
Mav. 

Any  soldier,  sutler,  woman  or  other  person  what- 
ever who  shall  be  detected  in  stealing,  purloining  or 
wasting  of  any  provisions  shall  suffer  Death. 

The  General  Court  Martial  whereof  Majr  Sparke's 
was  President  is  dissolved. 

Michael  Shelton  and  Caleb  Sary,  soldiers  be- 
longing to  Capt"  PJdward  Brice  Dobbs's  company  of 
Americans  tryed  for  Desertion  are  by  sentence  of  the 
Court  Martial  found  guilty  and  adjudged  to  receive 
1,000  lashes  each. 

John  Igo,  a  convict  servant,  accused  of  theft  is  by 
the    sentence   of  the  Court  Martial   found  guilty  of 


GENEHAI.  nUADDOCK  S  OKDERLY  ROOK.         XLVII. 

receiving  and  concoaling  goods  the  property  of 
soldiers  in  His  Majesty's  service  and  is  adjudged  to 
receive  500  Laslies  with  a  cat  and  nine  Tails  by  the 
hands  of"  the  eonmion  haugnian. 

John  McDonald  soldier  in  Sir  Peter  Ilalketts 
Regiment  accnst'd  of  heing  an  accomplice  and  con- 
cerned with  John  Igo  is  ac(iuitted. 

The  (Jiuards  advanced  up  Wills  Creek,  the  Potomac 
and  the  Flats'"  to  be  taken  oft'  to  morrow  morning, 
and  to  join  their  several  corps,  the  other  guards  to 
remain  and  to  be  relieved  as  usual. 

Capt"  Gates  Independent  (company  and  ye  re- 
maining companies  of  the  Provincial  Troops  to 
furnish  their  proportion  for  the  Guards  to  morrow 
and  when  they  are  relieved  they  are  to  join  their 
companys  in  the  same  manner  as  those  of  Sir  Peter 
Ilalketts  Regiment  are  directed  to  do  in  this  days 
orders. 

No  Soldiers  wife  to  be  suffered  to  march  from  this 
ground  with  ii  Horse  as  their  own. 


Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland, 

Saturday,  June  7th,  1755. 
Parole — Doncaster. 

Capt  Yates's  Independant  companies  &  the  remain- 
ing companies  of  Provincial  Troops  &  ye  whole  Park 
of  Artillery  to  march  to  morrow  morning  and  to  be 
under  the  command  of  Lieut  Col  Rurton. 

Tiio  artillery  &  companies  that  march  to  morrow 
to  receive  this  afternoon  Provisions  to  compleat  them 
to  the  11th  inclusive  &  ye  women  to  ye  Nth. 

The  48th  Regiment  to  take  all  the  Guards  to 
morrow;  the  men  of  the  48th  Regiment  now  upon  ye 
train  Guard  are  to  join  their  corps  to  morrow  morning 
when  the  Artillery  marches  oft'  &  that  Guard  to  be 
mounted  by  the  companys  that  march  to  morrow. 

*The  Flats  weie  on  the  Eael  side  of  \Viir»  Creak. 


XLVIII.       GENERAL  BKADDOCK  S  ORDERLY  BOOK. 


The  48th  Regiment  to  hold  themselves  in  readi- 
ness to  march  on  Monday  next. 

AFTER  ORDERS. 

The  Generals  Guard  is  to  be  reduced  to  morrow  to 
1  Sergt  1  corpl  and  12  men  who  arc  not  to  be  re- 
lieved but  to  remain  with  the  Genl's  Baggage. 


Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland, 

Sunday,  June  8th,  1755. 
Parole — Essex. 

Capt"  Gates's  Independatit  Company  and  the  re- 
maining companys  of  the  Provincial  Troops  and 
artillery  are  to  march  to  morrow. 

The  48th  Regt  to  march  on  Tuesday  as  Col  Dun- 
bars  Regiment  is  not  to  march  to  morrow  the  Genl's 
Guard  to  be  relieved  to  morrow  morning. 

The  Companies  that  march  to  morrow  to  send 
immediately  1  Sergeant  corporal  &  12  men  to  assist 
Mr  Lake  commissary  of  Provisions  at  the  Fort. 

A  Return  to  be  sent  immediately  from  Col  Dun- 
bar's Reg't  Capt  Gates's  company  &  the  American 
Troops  of  the  number  of  men  they  have  fitt  for 
Waggoners  or  Horse  Drivers. 

In  the  return  of  Col  Dunbar's  Regt  they  are  only 
to  include  those  men  that  have  joined  the  Regiment 
since  they  have  been  landed  in  America. 


Camp  in  Fort  Cumberland, 

Monday,  June  9th,  1755. 
Parole — Fallmouth. 
Col  Dunbars  regiment  to  send  their  sick  unable  to 
march    to    the   General  ^Hospital   and    to    leave    a 
subaltern  officer  behind  with  them. 

One  sergeant,  1  corpl  and  24  men  without  arms  to 
parade  to  morrow  morning  at  Day  braak  to  assist 
Mr  Lake,  commissary  of  Provisions  in  loading  of 
ye  waggons. 


OK. 

vea  in  readi- 


to  morrow  to 
lot  to  be  re- 

,ggage. 

RRLAND, 

8th,  1755. 

:  and   the  re- 
Troops  and 

y  as  Col  Dun- 
ow  the  Genl's 

jrrow  to  send 
men  to  assist 

the  Fort. 

om  Col  Dun- 
he  American 
have  fitt  for 

they  are  only 
the  Regiment 
a. 

lEULAND, 

9th,  1755. 

iick  unable  to 
to   leave    a 

Ithout  arms  to 

kaak  to  assist 

in  loading  of 


GENERAL  BRADDOCK  8  ORDERLY  BOOK. 


XLIX. 


Camp  at  Fort  Cumberland, 
Tuesday,  June  the  10th,  1756. 
The  Fort  Guard  to  join  their   Regiments  as  soon 
as  Governor   Innes   has  taken   possession  of  it  and 
placed  his  centrys. 


Cami'  at  the  Grove 
(First  Camp  from  Fort  Cumberl 


d.) 


Parole — Gainsborough. 

All  the  officers  of  the  Line  to  be  at  the  Gen's 
tent  to  morrow  morning  at  11  o'clock. 

No  Fires  to  be  made  upon  any  acct  whatever 
within  150  yards  of  the  Road  on  either  side,  any 
person  acting  contrary  to  this  order  shall  be  very  se- 
verely punished. 

All  the  waggons  to  be  drawn  up  to-morrow  morn- 
ing as  close  as  possible  and  as  soon  as  the  waggons 
belong  to  the  detachment  under  the  command  fof 
Majr  Chapman  have  closed  up  to  the  rear  of  the 
Artillery  that  Detachment  then  to  join  the  respective 
Corps. 

Col  Dunbars  Regiment  to  encamp  to  morrow 
morning  upon  the  left  of  the  whole,  according  to  the 
line  of  Encampment. 


Cami'  at  tee  Grove, 
Wednesday,  June  11th,  1755. 

Parole — Hartford . 

Capt"  Rutherford  and  Cap"  Gates  Indep  com- 
pan3^s  and  all  the  American's  Troops  to  bo  under 
arms  immediately  att  the  head  of  their  respective 
encampments. 

Any  person  whatsoever  that  is  detected  in  stealing 
shall  be  immediately  hanged  with*  being  brought  to  a 
Court  Martial. 

One  Subaltern  Officer  1  Serg'  1  Corporal  &  40  men 
7 


L. 


GENEKAL  BRADDOCK  S  OUDEKLY  BOOK. 


with*  arms  from  each  of  yo  two  Rogcment  to  parade 
immediately  at  ye  h'^  of  the  artillery. 

One  Sub:  1  Serg^  1  D''  &  oO  Men  of  the  line  to 
Parade  in  the  Rear  of  Col>  Dunbars  Reg''  as  soon  as 
they  have  come  to  their  pro[)er  ground  The  Officer  is 
to  receive  his  Orders  from  Majr  Sparkes. 

Whatever  number  of  Horses  are  furnisd  by  the 
Officers  are  to  be  paraded  as  soon  as  possible  in  the 
Rear  of  Col^  Dunbars  Regimt  and  to  be  reviewd  by 
Majr  Sparkes. 

The  Officers  are  desird  to  acquaint  May  Sparkes 
which  of  their  Horses  for  carrying  Horses  and  which 
are  for  Draught  and  to  be  so  good  as  to  send  with  the 
carrying  Horses,  Bat-Saddles  &  etc.  if  they  have 
them. 

The  Command??  officers  of  the  two  Regt'«  &  the 
capt"^  of  the  Independ'  and  Provencial  Troops  to 
send  in  a  Return  to  the  Genl  of  the  number  of  Horses 
furnished  by  their  respective  Officers,  and  opposite  to 
the  Officer's  names.  The  number  of  Horses  furnishd 
oy  each  officer;  that  the  Gen^  may  be  able  to  inform 
His  Majesty  of  the  Inclination  and  readiness  of  the 
particular  Officers  in  carrying  on  the  service. 

AFTER  ORDERS. 

No  more  than  two  Women  per  company  to  be 
allowd  to  march  from  the  Camp,  a  List  of  the  names 
of  those  that  are  to  be  sent  back  to  be  given  into 
Capt"  Morris  that  tluere   may  be  an  Order  sent  to 

Colo  Innes  at  Fort  Cumberland  to  Victual  them 

A  List  of  the  names  of  the  women  that  are  allowd 
to  stay  with  the  troops  to  be  given  into  the  Maj^  of 
Brigade  and  any  woman  that  is  found  in  camp  and 
whose  name  is  not  in  that  List  will  for  the  first  time 
be  severely  punished  and  for  the  second  suffer  Death. 

AFTER  ORDERS. 

Colo  Dunbar's  Reg*  is  immediately  to  furnish  a 
Sergt  &  12  Men  as  a  Guard  for  the  Provisions  on 


BOOK. 

ment  to  parade 

3f  the  line  to 

iogt'  as  8oon  as 

i  The  Officer  ia 

es. 

furnisd  by  the 

30ssible  ill  the 

be  reviewd  by 

'  Maj'"  Sparkes 

rscs  and  which 

send  with  the 

if   they  have 

'  Regti«  &  the 
iial  Troops  to 
nber  of  Horses 
nd  opposite  to 
orses  furnishd 
Eible  to  inform 
idiness  of  the 
ervice. 


GKNKRAL  BRADDOCK's  ORDERLY  BOOK.  u. 

with  'hk^  P  ^'"y'  ['"'''S  ^'   "'  ^^"ke  Corny  of  Pro". 

n.onw.„.byday  b^  &  ,,;»  Exeellenc;  y.  every  2 
will  be  ,n  reaclmos»  by  1  Ocloek  in  r  alWon. 


mpany  to  be 
.  of  the  names 
be  given  into 
3rder  sent  to 

ual  them 

it  are  allowd 

to  the  Majf  of 

in  camp  and 

the  first  time 

suffer  Death. 


1 


to   furnish  a 
'revisions  on 


GENERAL  BRADDOCK'S  ORDERLY  BOOK, 

NO.  2. 


Camp  at  the  Grove, 
Thursday,  June  12th,  1755. 

Parole— 'aiford." 

Field  Officer  of  the  Picquet  Lt  Col  Gage. 

The  Picquet  to  load  with  cartridges,  and  not  with 
raming  Ball,  to  challenge  and  demand  the  counter- 
sign till  troop  beating ;  and  the  Field  officer  and 
Picquet  to  be  always  received  as  Grand  rounds  as 
often  as  he  thinks  proper  to  visit  the  out  posts,  by 
Night  or  Day. 

The  advanced  corporals  and  scntrys  to  have  their 
bayonets  fixed  ;  the  Detached  partys  from  the  ser- 
geants guard  to  have  corporals  with  them ;  the  ad- 
vanced sentrys  not  to  suffer  anybody  to  come  within 
ten  paces  of  their  arras  without  demanding  the 
countersign. 

The  advanced  partys  not  to  build  any  bowers, 
upon  pain  of  severest  punishment;  those  already 
built  to  be  immediately  destroyed. 

These  orders  to  be  read  to  the  men,  by  the  officer 
of  y«  Picquet  before  the  out  guards  are  posted. 

Whatever  communications  from  sergeant's  guards 
to  sergeants  guards,  and  from  corporals  guards  to 
corporal's  guards  are  not  yet  opened  to  be  done 
immediately.    This   to  be  a  standing  order,  and  to 


GENERAL  BKADDOCK  S  OUDKHLY  BOOK. 


LITI. 


be  observed  by  y  troops  in  all  ciiinps,  and  no  person 
whatever  to  lire  their  arms  within  a  mile  of  y  camp, 
but  in  case  of  an  alarm  or  their  being  attacked. 

These  orders  to  be  read  to  the  men  by  the  com- 
mjyiding  oflicer  of  each  company,  and  the  orders 
relative  to  the  men  of  the  picquet  to  be  read  to  them 
before  they  are  detach'd  on  y  out  guards  by  the 
officers  of  y*'  picquet. 

The  captains  of  ye  several  Picquetts  to  be  at 
y"  Field  officer  of  y  Picquet's  tent  an  hour  before 
retreat  beating  in  order  to  receive  the  countersign 
from  him. 

All  the  troops  to  be  compleated  this  afterno(»n 
with  provii.ions  to  the  Kith  inclusive  and  the 
waggon  and  horse  drivers  to  the  2t')th. 

AFTER  ORDERS. 

Sir  Peter  ITalkett's  Grenadiers  and  the  battalion 
companys  of  that  regiment  to  march  immediately  to 
the  crossing  of  the  new  and  old  road,  a  little  beycmd 
where  the  detiu'hment  of  seamen  are  now  encamped. 
They  are  to  encamp  there;  the  Grenadiers  camp 
across  the  road  and  the  battalion  companys  according 
to  the  present  line  of  encampment  covering  the  ad- 
vanced wagons.  The  commanding  officers  to  take 
care  to  advance  picquets  in  the  same  manner  and 
proportion  of  numbers  as  ordered  in  the  disposition 
of  march  and  to  take  care  that  his  advanced  picquets 
comply  with  the  orders  of  this  day. 

The  detachment  of  seamen  ;Commanded  by  Mr 
Spendelow  to  be  disposed  of  in  such  parts  of  the  line 
as  he  shall  think  proper,  and  their  arms  and  accou- 
trements are  to  be  carried  in  whatever  waggons  he 
shall  appoint. 

Three  hatchet  men  of  ye  line  with  their  tools  to 
remain  constantly  with  the  detachment  of  seamen, 
and  to  receive  their  orders  from  Mr  Spendelowe. 

One  Tumbril  with  tools  to  march  in  the  front 
immediately    after    Captain    Poisons    company    of 


LIV. 


GENERAL  BRADDOCK  S  ORDERLY  BUOK. 


carpenters  and  another  Tumbril  of  tools  to  march  in 
the  centre  of  the  carriages. 

One  engineer  to  march  with  captain  Polson'^i  com- 
pany of  carpenters  and  another  engineer  is  to  march 
in  tlie  centre  of  ye  carriages. 

The  Pioneers  of  every  company  of  ye  Line  with 
their  tools  (except  those  that  arc  ordered  to  ye 
detachment  of  seamen)  to  march  constantly  in  y^' 
centre  of  y*-'  carriages  and  to  be  Ui.der  the  directions 
yi"  Engineer  who  marches  in  the  centre. 

The  troops  to  march  to  morrow  and  the  General 
to  beat  at  four  o'clock  in  ye  morning. 


Camp  at- 


Friday,  13th  June,  1755. 

Parole— 'Hertford." 

Field  ofTicer  to  morrow  Major  Chapman. 
The  Line  is  not  to  march  to  morrow. 


CAMf  at  Martin's,  Saturday,  June  14,  1755. 
Parole — "Leicester." 

Fltld  Officer  to  morrow  Lt  Col  Burton. 

Unon  the  beating  of  the  General  which  is  to  be 
taken  from  Sir  Peter  Halketts  regiment,  all  ye  troops 
are  to  accoutre  turn  out  and  form  two  deep  at  y^' 
head  of  their  respective  encampments,  and  there 
wait  for  further  orders  and  no  soldiers  tent  to  be 
suffered  to  be  struck  till  ordered  by  the  General. 

As  soon  as  the  tents  are  struck  they  are  to  be 
immediately  loaded  as  also  the  officers  baggage  and 
then  the  troops  are  to  lay  upon  their  arms  till  they 
receve  an  order  to  march  and  upon  the  beating  of  ye 
march  the  whole  to  face  to  the  right  and  left. 

The  Field  officers  are  not  to  be  particularly  posted 
excepting  the  one  who  marches  at  ye  head  of  y^ 
vanguard. 

The  number  of  carriages  tc)  be  equally  divided  and 


GENERAL  BRADDOCK  S  ORDERLY  BOOK. 


LV. 


to  march  in 


the  General 


divided  and 


Sir  Peter  Ilalkett  and  his  Field  officers  with  the 
troops  of  his  briga  lo  are  to  take  under  their  care  half 
of  carriages  and  see  that  tlieir  officers  order  their 
men  to  assist  the  waggoners  upon  any  point  or 
difficulty  that  may  happen. 

Col  Dunbar  and  his  Field  officers  with  y^'  troops  of 
the  Second  brigade  to  act  in  the  same  manner  with 
the  remaining  number  of  carriages. 

In  case  any  wagon  should  break  down  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  be  unable  to  keep  with  the  Line  it  is 
immediately  to  be  drawn  out  on  one  side  of  the  road 
and  a  report  of  it  with  what  it  is  loaded  to  be  sent 
to  Mr  Scott  Wagon  master  general  who  is  to  order 
it  to  be  r<'paired,  or  m'O  that  the  load  is  divided 
among  the  rest  of  the  wagons  as  he  shall  think 
proper. 

Upon  any  halt,  tho'  ever  so  small  the  Companys 
are  to  form  two  deep  and  face  outward. 

Upon  a  march  the  captains  and  officers  of  ye 
picquet  to  visit  frequently  their  out  detachments, 
and  see  that  they  keep  at  a  proper  distance  from 
their  companies. 

Upon  y^  firing  of  a  cannon  either  in  y  front, 
centre  or  rear  the  whole  line  to  form  face  outwards 
and  then  wait  for  further  orders. 

WluMi  the  troops  come  to  Savage  River  the  ser- 
vants, bat  men  Waggoners  and  horse  drivers  must 
take  particular  care  to  prevent  their  horses  from 
eating  of  laurel,  as  it  is  certain  death  to  them  The 
General  to  beat  to  morrow  morning  at  4  o'clock. 

AFTKR  ORDEIiS. 

Upon  the  beating  of  the  General  to  morrow  morn- 
ing two  companys  from  the  right  of  Sir  Peter 
rialkett's  regiment  to  strike  their  tents  and  march 
as  an  escort  to  the  carrying  horses  of  y^  army  The 
Commanding  officer  to  apply  to  Captain  Morris  to 
morrow  morning  for  his  orders. 


LVI. 


GENERAL  BRADDOCK  S  ORDERLY  BOOK. 


[Here  is  an  omission  of  two  days'  orders,  which 
cannot  be  supplied,  but  a  blank  may  be  left  in  the 
records  to  show  the  chasm.]* 


Camp  at  the  Little  Meadows, 
Tuesday,  June  17th,  1755. 

Parole — Orford. 

Field  officer  to  morrow  Lt  Col  Burton. 

A  detachment  to  march  to  morrow  morning  at  4 
o'clock  consisting  of  one  Field  Officer  2  Captains  6 
subalterns  12  sergeants  and  150  rank  and  file  of  y^ 
two  regiments;  Captain  Gates  2  subalterns  2  Ser- 
geants 2  corporals  and  50  private  men  of  his  inde- 
pendent company,  Captain  Waggoners  and  Captain 
Perouney's  companys  of  Rangers. 

Lt  Col  Gage  to  command  this  detachment  A  de- 
tachment to  march  on  Tliursday  morning  at  4 
o'clock  consisting  of  one  Colonl  1  Lt  Col  1  Major 
the  two  oldest  companys  of  Grenadeers  5  Captains 
20  subalterns  22  sergeants  and  550  rank  and  file  of 
y"  two  regiments. 

Sir  Peter  Ilalkett  Lieut  Col  Burton  and  Major 
Sparke  field  officers  for  this  detachment  The  King's 
colour  of  ye  44'^  reg't  and  ye  second  colour  of 
ye  48tii.  regiment  to  be  sent  with  this  detachment. 

The  men  of  the  two  regiments  that  are  to  march 
with  the  detachment  of  to  morrow  and  Thursday  to 
be  taken  out  of  those  which  landed  from  Ireland 
the  commanding  officer  of  each  regiment  to  be  an- 
swerable to  his  Excellency  that  this  is  complied 
with. 

A  return  to  be  sent  in  to-morrow  morning  to 
either  of  ye  aids  de  camp  signed  by  the  command- 
ing officers  of  y^  companys  of  ye  two  regiments  of 
ye  names    and    countries    of  ye  men    that  are  for 

*rhlBuoteU  written  Id  Washington'!*  handwritlug. 


GENERAL  BRADDOCK's  ORDERLY  BOOK.  LVII. 

ye  above    two    detachments    their  term  of  service 
and  the  regiments  they  have  served  in 

low!  ^''^'7^!^"^^'  ^\^^  b^.^^"  pleased  to  appoint  the  Ibl- 
owmg  cap  nins  and   subalterns   officers  for  ye  above 

th  m  ^m  iVr^  ^''''''  '^''  '^''y  -^"  t-ke  with 
thein  as  httle  bacrgage  as  possible. 

Of  v^/Zfi?"*"".'""''"^  and  command  of  Lt  Col  Gage. 

Ofye44thregt  Ofye48thregt 

Capt  Beckwitl)  Capt  Morris 

Lieut  Harsard 
Lieut  Barbutt 

ui  tne  44tn  Koo-imor.f         rk*'4.i,„  ^oxi    i-.     .     -^ 


Lieut  Treby 
Lieut  Sittler 
Ensign  Clarke 


Of  the  44th  Regiment 
Captain  Hobson 
Gethius 

Lieut  Halkett 
Bailey 
Potting(U' 
Simpson 
Lock 
Kennedy 

Townshend 
Ensign  Nortlow 

Pennington 
Preston 


Of  the  48th  Regiment 
Captn  Dobson 
Cholniley 
Bowyer 
Lieut  Walsam 
Hathorn 

Ed  mon  stone 
Cope 
Brierton 
Hurt 
Gladwin 
Ensign  Cowart 
Harrison 
Crowe 
Th^  Q  TIT  .      ,.  McMullen. 

Capt  Rutherfords  Independent  Company  and  Cant 
Stephens  company  of  Rangers,  to  march  \olrZ 
morning  with  the  detachment  under  y  command  of 
VV  r^^^"^  ^^^"^  ^"^  ^■'^'^""^  to  camp  atni.dit 
One  Corporal  and  4  light  horse  to  inarch  to  mor- 
row  mormng  with  the  detachment  under  Col  Gages 
command,  and  to  remain  with  him 

The  detachment  of  Seamen  and  Capt  Stuart  with 
8 


Lvin. 


GENERAL  BRADDOCK  S  ORDERLY  BOOK. 


1  subaltern,  and  18  light  horse  to  march  on  Thurs- 
day morning. 

No  woman  to  be  victuaHqd  upon  the  detachments 
that  march  to  morrow  and  Tliursday. 

AFTER  ORDERS. 

Each  of  the  two  regiments  as  also  Capt  Gates 
Independent  Company  to  send  a  sufficient  number  of 
tents  for  y^  respective  detachments  that  march  to 
morrow  under  y^  command  of  Lt  Col  Gage. 

AFTER  ORDERS. 

His  Excellency  has  been  pleased  to  appoint  Lieut 
Buchanan  of  y  artillery  to  march  with  y«  2  guns  to 
morrow  morning  and  Capt  L  Smith  and  Lieut 
McLoud  of  y  artillery  to  march  with  y^  detach- 
ment on  Thursday  morning.  The  men  that  march 
to  morrow  and  on  Thursday  morning  to  be  compleated 
to  24  rounds  of  ammunition. 


BOOK. 


Tch  on  Thurs- 
3  detachments 


io  Capt  Gates 
ent  number  of 
ihat  march  to 


I  age. 


appoint  Lieut 
t  y«  2  guns  to 
h  and  Lieut 
h  y^  detach- 
11  that  march 
be  compleated 


*N   B._After  the    orders  in  this,  and  the  book 
preceding  ,t,  are  transcribed,  leave  six    pages  blank 

ior  insertion  of  the  commission  of(;  W- n  md 

the  proc^-dings  which  inU.rvened  between  the  defeat 

Next   the  Letters,  fiistructions,  and  orders,  in  the 
order  they  appear  in  the  parchment  covered  book 
are  to  be  transcribed. 


•The  above  appears 
orders. 


i"  Wa»hin«toT.  h.nd„rmn«.  on  a  ^^,.^0.^.,^;^-;^^^:;:^^ 


Page  23— "The  Potomac  River  ()btaiiie<l  it>i  mune  doubtless  from  tht- 
Potomac  tril)(»  of  Iiitlians,"  sliould  read,  "The  Potomac  tribe  of  IndiaiiH 
obtained  its  name  doubtless  from  the  Potomac  River." 

PageSSO— Lieut.  Pickett  should  read  Pickell. 

Page  -IOC  -The  date  of  the  leestablishraent  of  the  "Alleganian  and 
Times"  should  be  1876,  instead  of  186<J. 


doubtlcHs    from   tht- 
tic    tribe  of  IndiaiiN 


e   "Alle^'iiuian   ami 


